Zac Efron Talks Real-Life “Iron Claw” Tragedy Endured by 'the Biggest Rockstars in Wrestling' (Exclusive Video)

Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons play Efron's brothers in the film

Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and director Sean Durkin go behind the scenes of what it was like bringing the story of the Von Erich family to life in a The Iron Claw featurette shared exclusively with PEOPLE.

The film chronicles the rise of the Von Erich wrestling dynasty in the 1980s, and also covers the tragic deaths of many of the Von Erich brothers.

There were five Von Erich brothers, though the youngest brother Chris Von Erich, who died from suicide in 1991 at the age of 21, is not included in the film out of concerns for time, Durkin told Entertainment Weekly.

Efron plays the only surviving brother, Kevin Von Erich in the film.

"Preparing to play Kevin was one of the most challenging things I've ever done," he says in the featurette, adding that the crew were the "biggest rockstars in wrestling to ever come out of Texas."

Related: Jeremy Allen White Says Iron Claw Cast Experienced 'Trauma Bonding' While Training for Movie (Exclusive)

"I watched Zac hit those ropes and I couldn't believe it," says Kevin Von Erich. "There were certain things that he would say and that Harris would say and it was like I was listening to [my brother] Dave."

The Von Erich family patriarch, Fritz Von Erich was born in 1929 and transitioned from careers in various sports to playing a villain in professional wrestling. By the '80s, Fritz was a well-known entrepreneur and promoter in the wrestling world and owned World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW).

His kids followed in his footsteps, but when Fritz died in 1997, he was pre-deceased by four of his sons.

The second-eldest son, David Von Eric, died in 1984 at the age of 25 of ruptured intestines resulting from acute enteritis while on a tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling. He's played in The Iron Claw by Harris Dickinson.

The youngest Von Erich brother Mike Von Erich allegedly had less interest in the family business than his brothers but began wrestling after his brother's death. He injured his shoulder in 1985 and the surgery to correct it led to toxic shock syndrome and allegedly brain damage. He continued wrestling but died in 1987 at age 23 from a fatal dose of tranquilizers.

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Kerry Von Erich is played by White in the film. Kerry died by suicide in 1993 at 33. He was part of the family's wrestling dynasty along with Kevin and David. He won the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship in the mid-'80s.

A motorcycle accident in 1986 resulted in the amputation of Kerry's right foot, but he kept it a secret and wrestled for many years before his death with a prosthetic leg.

Related: Zac Efron Jokes His Ego Was Bruised Filming Iron Claw in a Speedo: 'This Is Magic Mike!'

Kevin says in the video that he felt "comfortable" with Durkin telling his family's story because all of the love they had was included.

"I hope this movie has a message like, 'Life is worth it. Don't quit, don't give up, don't lay down — fight for it,'" Kevin says.

The Iron Claw is in theaters Friday.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

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