Tag: Fritz Von Erich

JNPO: Holt McCallany on becoming Fritz Von Erich in ‘The Iron Claw’

Posted on by Josh Nason

In an extended interview, actor Holt McCallany joined Josh Nason’s Punch-Out to talk about his upcoming new film “The Iron Claw” in which he plays the role of Fritz Von Erich, patriarch of the famed Texas wrestling clan.

Holt talked about his preparation and research for the role, which included training with WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz in Brooklyn, New York, and how his body and mind felt as he literally began to learn the ropes of the business.

He also discussed his thoughts on who Fritz was vs. what the public perception may be, especially for those watching the film.

We also talked whether he had any interaction with Kevin Von Erich and the Oscar buzz that started recently about his portrayal of Fritz. We also briefly discussed his short-lived 2011 FX show “Lights Out” and whether he would have done anything differently.

“The Iron Claw” comes out domestically on Friday, December 22nd and this February in the United Kingdom.

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DragonKing Dark: The dark side of World Class Championship Wrestling

Posted on by Karl Stern

My 100 darkest moments in pop culture history rolls on as this week, we return to the world of professional wrestling with, arguably, the first place many people think of when it comes to a lot of young deaths in wrestling: the Dallas, Texas-based World Class Championship Wrestling.

WCCW saw many wrestlers die young, the Von Erichs infamously of suicide (mostly), but there were multiple cocaine overdoses, and more.

Let’s look back at the dark side of World Class Championship Wrestling.

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Actor Holt McCallany cast as Fritz Von Erich in ‘The Iron Claw’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Actor Holt McCallany will play Fritz Von Erich in “The Iron Claw,” the upcoming biopic on the Von Erich family.

News of McCallany’s casting was reported by Deadline on Monday. McCallany joins Zac Efron (Kevin Von Erich), Harris Dickinson (David Von Erich), and Jeremy Allen White (Kerry Von Erich) in the cast for the movie.

McCallany co-starred in the television series”Mindhunter” and was previously the star of the short-lived series “Lights Out.” Deadline notes that McCallany “most recently wrapped shooting on ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’ alongside Tom Cruise, ‘Nightmare Alley’ with Bradley Cooper, and the acclaimed ’61st Street’ for AMC.”

“The Iron Claw” is being written and directed by Sean Durkin. A24 and Access Industries are co-financing the film, and A24 is producing it.

Here’s the description for the movie:

Based on the true story of the Von Erichs, [The Iron Claw] follows the rise and fall of the family dynasty of wrestlers who made a huge impact on the sport from the 1960s to the present day.

Fritz Von Erich, the patriarch of the Von Erich family and the promoter of World Class Championship Wrestling, died of cancer in 1997.