TEXAS — The Von Erichs’ story has haunted many professional wrestlers for years, and anytime it’s retold, emotions are heavy. Film studio A24 announced the release date for a biopic, called “The Iron Claw,” based on the North Texas wrestling family and the “curse” that struck them. The film comes to theaters on Dec. 22, 2023.

A synopsis from A24 reads, “The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.”

The casting of the brothers includes Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich and Harris Dickinson as David Von Erich. Holt McCallany plays their father Fritz Von Erich. The Von Erichs’ real surname is Adkisson.

Directing the movie is Canadian Sean Durkin. The film dives into the lives of the Von Erich family and the trajectory of their career in wrestling. They were the faces of World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), a huge wrestling promotion that was headquartered in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The 80s was the pinnacle of wrestling entertainment and big stars, like Hulk Hogan and Randy “Macho Man” Savage, became prominent during that time. When wrestling was much more popular in North Texas, the Von Erichs would put on televised matches at Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth and at the Dallas Sportatorium. People from all over would come just to see them in the ring.

The Von Erichs were a household name, even giving some boy bands a run for their money with how liked they were among the ladies. They had massive popularity in Dallas, Houston and the remaining WCCW territories.

Unfortunately, the Von Erich family went downhill as their personal lives became shrouded in darkness. Only one brother lives today.

Fritz Von Erich lost five of his six sons before he died in 1997. His first-born Jack Barton Adkisson Jr. drowned at age six, David Von Erich died in 1984 from enteritis, Mike Von Erich fatally overdosed in 1987, Kerry Von Erich committed suicide and Chris Von Erich shot himself in 1991.

Kevin Von Erich is the last son still alive. He has come back to Texas with his two sons to live on a ranch he bought near the town of Boerne. His son Marshall Von Erich shared the news in May this year on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The legacy of the Von Erich family is set in stone, with WWE having inducted the family as a group into the Hall of Fame on March 16, 2009.