Zac Efron’s journey from teen heartthrob to serious dramatic actor has been a fascinating one. Rising to fame as Troy Bolton in Disney’s High School Musical franchise, he quickly became a household name, thanks to his charisma, musical talent, and unforgettable performances. But in recent years, he’s taken on grittier, more challenging roles, with The Iron Claw being one of his most intense performances to date.

While promoting The Iron Claw, The Movie Dweeb asked Zac what was more difficult to learn—the intricate wrestling sequences he had to perform in the film or the choreography for “Bet On It” in High School Musical 2.

Laughing, Zac replied, “They’re both challenging in different ways. You know, part of what was really fun about making this film and very special is the way that Sean Durkin constructs the shot process—the blocking that goes into it and the wrestling, but also the emotional scenes in the film. There’s just a way he goes about creating this environment where everyone’s kind of firing as a team, and it just feels really special. So, in all of that work and preparation, you hit this rhythm where you feel like—I don’t know—it becomes real. And that was very evident in this film, very unique.”

The Iron Claw: The True Story and Zac Efron’s Oscar Snub

The Iron Claw tells the harrowing true story of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of professional wrestlers whose careers were plagued by tragedy. Directed by Sean Durkin, the film follows the rise and struggles of Kevin Von Erich, played by Efron, as he navigates the pressures of wrestling, family expectations, and personal loss. The film also stars Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich, Harris Dickinson as David Von Erich, and Holt McCallany as their controlling father, Fritz Von Erich.

Efron’s transformation into Kevin Von Erich was nothing short of remarkable. He underwent an intense physical regimen to match the wrestler’s imposing physique and delivered a career-best performance, balancing raw emotion with the physical demands of the role. Despite widespread critical acclaim, his name was glaringly absent from the Oscars’ Best Actor nominations, sparking backlash from fans and critics alike who believed his performance deserved recognition.

Ricky Stanicky: Zac Efron and John Cena’s Comedy Collaboration

Efron’s next project is Ricky Stanicky, a comedy directed by Peter Farrelly (Green Book). The film, which also stars John Cena and Andrew Santino, follows three childhood friends who, after years of blaming their misdeeds on a fictional friend named Ricky Stanicky, are forced to hire an actor to play him when their wives become suspicious. With Farrelly at the helm, audiences can expect a blend of raunchy humor and heartfelt moments, making it a highly anticipated release.

Nacho Libre, The Rock, and Wrestling Advice

Speaking of the wrestling aspect of The Iron Claw, I asked Efron if, having worked with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Baywatch, being set to release a film with John Cena, and even being photobombed by Jack Black—who famously played the iconic luchador Nacho Libre—if any of them gave him advice on wrestling.

Efron admitted, “No, not really about professional wrestling. But you know, it was really fun actually to work with John Cena. We’ve been working together a lot recently—we shot Ricky Stanicky directly after The Iron Claw. Just hearing his excitement and enthusiasm for the story, and for how much Kevin and the Von Erichs, like Fritz, influenced him and his career—it meant a lot to me that he was even aware of it. So, the fact that such elite wrestlers and the wrestling community were open to responding to it, and now are responding to it, it just feels incredible.”

From Disney musicals to dramatic transformations and upcoming comedies, Zac Efron continues to prove his versatility in Hollywood. Whether he’s wrestling in the ring, performing on the golf course to “Bet On It,” or delivering heartfelt comedic moments, one thing is clear—he’s far from done surprising audiences.