Zac Efron compared to Hulk after drastic transformation for The Iron Claw movie

If you thought Zac Efron’s physical transformation for Baywatch was extreme enough, his new makeover for The Iron Claw basically said ‘hold my drink’. 

The High School Musical actor has undergone a complete lifestyle overhaul to get into shape as real life wrestler Kevin Von Erich for the biopic, which will chart the highs and tragedies of the wrestling dynasty. 

Earlier this week, Efron, 35, was seen on set for the first with his transformation in full effect. Gone is his boy-next-door charm and in its place a pumped up body builder, with Efron showing off his incredibly ripped physique while emerging from his trailer wearing a towel. 

Clutching a bottled drink in one hand and his phone in the other, the actor looked lost in deep thought as he walked around the set flanked by crew members. 

Efron’s typically preened and polished Hollywood haircut was also missing, with the film star donning a brown wig similar to Kevin’s look in the 1960s. 

It’s safe to say that Efron’s new look has taken fans aback, with one laughing on Twitter: ‘He looks like 80’s hulk!’ 


‘That’s Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich , it more look like the Incredible Hulk,’ another agreed. 

One fan joked: ‘Can we recast the Hulk again? And just put Green body spray on Zac Efron?’ 

‘Zac Efron doing a wrestling project is something I never imagine,’ another admitted. 


The Iron Claw promises to be a gripping drama as it follows the famous Von Erich family, who built an iconic wrestling dynasty despite facing countless heartbreak personally. 

Kevin’s father Fritz Von Erich began the family legacy on the wrestling circuit in the 50s and 60s playing a Nazi, before going on to become a well-respected promoter for World Class Championship Wrestling. 

However, his personal life was mired in tragedy with five of Fritz’s six sons dying – Kevin, now 65, was his only surviving child by his death in 1997 aged 68. 


Fritz’s eldest son Jack Barton Adkisson Jr died in 1958 at the age of six after being accidentally electrocuted by an exposed wire before drowning in a puddle. His third son David suffered a suspected drug overdose while touring with All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1984 and died aged 25.

Kerry, Fritz’s fourth son, died by suicide at the age of 33 in 1993. It came seven years after his right foot was amputated following a motorcycle accident. 

His fifth son Mike also died by suicide aged 23 in 1987, while his youngest child Chris took his own life in 1991 at the age of 21. 

The Iron Claw, which takes its name from Fritz’s legendary holding move, will also star Lily James, Harris Dickinson, Holt McCallany, Jeremy Allen White and Maura Tierney. 

Efron’s transformation has come as a surprise to fans as he recently revealed how he fell into a ‘pretty bad depression’ over his intense fitness regime for Baywatch. 

‘That Baywatch look, I don’t know if that’s really attainable,’ he told Men’s Health. 

A release date for The Iron Claw is yet to be revealed.

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