Zac Efron has spoken up about his dramatic weight loss in preparation for his new picture, The Iron Claw.
The 36-year-old went above and above to authentically imitate pro wrestler Kevin Von Erich, even getting into shape for the job.
He revealed that elements of his new appearance were’shocking’ to him on the red carpet at the Dallas premiere of the film, which also stars Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Lily James.
‘This movie’s a true story, and that man, Kevin Von Erich right there, he really motivated me to get in shape for this movie,’ he told Entertainment Tonight of his efforts. ‘It was shocking at every point of the transformation.
‘I remember Harris and I were walking out of hair and make-up and it was like the first time we had to wear the full kit, and we were both thinking, “What the hell are we doing here, man? How did we get into this?”’
Zac, who hinted at his own prospective return to the ring, also praised Kevin for ‘changing’ the sport, describing how it was the ‘hardest’ thing to depict.
‘The physicality he brought to the ring every single day was really unique. It changed wrestling,’ the High School Musical icon continued to Entertainment Tonight.
‘I knew that was going to be the hardest [thing] for me to master and get right. So, I put everything I had into it.
‘He told me he was happy with it last night, so I’m stoked! I cried a little bit, if I’m going to be completely honest.’
We don’t blame you one bit, hun.
The Iron Claw is based on a true tale and follows the Von Erich wrestling dynasty, lead by father and coach (Holt McCallany) and his sons Kevin (Zac), David (Harris), Kerry (Jeremy), and Mike (Standley Simons).
The family famously battled highs and lows in the most extreme ways as Kevin’s brothers tragically died – sparking the concept of the ‘Von Erich curse’.
The official synopsis reads: ‘The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.’
The Iron Claw is set to be released on December 22.
