The “Mindhunter” star plays imposing family patriarch Fritz Von Erich in A24s emotional wrestling drama.
The Iron Clawis a family affair.
It wasnt until he read Durkins script that he started diving into the familys complicated history.
Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich in ‘The Iron Claw’.A24/YouTube
There was nobody else that was quite like Fritz, McCallany tells EW.
Although he had a lot of detractors, he also had a lot of admirers.
Playing a professional wrestler also meant that McCallany had to get comfortable in the ring.
The Von Erich family in ‘The Iron Claw’.Brian Roedel/A24
At the gym, Rodz helped McCallany perfect everything from Fritzs menacing glower to that signature Iron Claw.
You have to get comfortable with it.
And what you come to understand is that its much harder than it looks.
‘The Iron Claw’.Eric Chakeen/A24
It requires tremendous athleticism.
It requires a huge amount of technique.
You better get that smile off your face.
He said, Fritz didnt smile when he was in the ring.
Fritz was a heel, McCallany remembers.
So, I would go four nights a week to Johnny Rodzs wrestling club in Brooklyn.
He would even get in the ring with us sometimes, even though hes 83.
But thats why you cant trust serial killers.
The Iron Clawis in theaters now.
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