Ex-WWE Star Explains How He Trained Actors For Iron Claw Von Erich Movie

Ex-WWE Star Explains How He Trained Actors For Iron Claw Von Erich Movie A24

Former WWE star Chavo Guerrero has shared an insight into his role as wrestling coordinator on the movie Iron Claw.

The upcoming movie, which had its LA premiere on November 11, charts the lives of the Von Erich family, as can be seen from the trailer below.

It stars Zac Efron in the lead role as Kevin Von Erich with Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich.

Elsewhere in the cast is MJF as Lance Von Erich, with Chavo Guerrero as The Sheik and Ryan Nemeth as Gino Hernandez.

Guerrero served as the wrestling coordinator on the project and shared his insight into working with a non-wrestling cast on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, saying:

“I’ve created a bond. Wrestling creates a bond with people. Being on the road and traveling, being in the trenches with other wrestlers of course but also when I’m training actors, there’s this trust we have to build with each other.

“You squish in as much as you can, whatever they can absorb. Every actor is different. Zac [Efron] was able to absorb a lot so we kind of sped him through it but I threw a lot at him.

“When you’re creating a scene, there are a lot of things you have to take into consideration. We have to take in the script, what the director wants, how the DP [Director of Photography] wants to shoot it. But also what your actors can and can’t perform. So you have to work within the parameters.

“Once I can get them to give me trust and just know that I’m never going to put them in harm’s way. Safety is the number one port of order for me. Of course we’ve got to get the shot I have an actor to protect.

“So the number one thing is safety and I won’t let them do anything that I’m sure they can’t repeat a hundred times. It’s one of those things. You know there are fluke accidents and freak accidents that happen.”

He would also discuss how he replicated advice that he gave on the Netflix series GLOW, showing the cast they already knew something about the wrestling world, adding:

“I explain to my actors, the same thing with my GLOW girls, everybody on that awesome Netflix show. I explain to them, ‘Y’all know how to wrestle. You just don’t know you know yet.’ They’re like ‘What do you mean?’

“So I portray it to acting a lot. What do you do in acting? You’re convincing the studios that you’re better looking than you are, you’re a better actor than you are, you’re taller than you are. You’re much more handsome or much more beautiful than you are actually are.

“That’s what I’ve been doing in wrestling for the last 25 years. People, every time they see me they go ‘Gosh you’re a lot bigger.’ Yeah, because I portray myself a lot bigger.”

The premiere of Iron Claw took place in Los Angeles, with John Cena, MJF and Baron Corbin among the stars in attendance.

It was preceded by a ceremony in which Zac Efron received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Transcript from SE Scoops.

Want to stay up to date with all the most important Wrestling and WrestleTalk News? Join our newsletter mailing list by clicking here, and selecting your preferences!

5 months ago by Dave Adamson

Trending

Get the latest wrestling news straight to your inbox

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from WrestleTalk