Zac Efron has revealed how his “obsession” with transforming into a pro wrestler for Iron Claw left him feeling “withdrawn”.
The 36-year-old actor plays Kevin Von Eric in the film, in which the Eric brothers made wrestling history in the 1980s.
Ahead of the film's release on December 22, Zac showed off his muscular physique in his interview with Variety.
The High School Musical star packed on a whopping 15 pounds of muscle for the role and worked out multiple times a day.
“It's been a singular focus for a month and during the prep, life goes out the window.” “That need to be perfect… became an obsession,” Zac admitted.
Zac Efron has revealed how his “obsession” with turning into a pro wrestler for Iron Claw left him feeling “withdrawn”.
The 36-year-old actor plays Kevin Von Eric in the film, in which the Eric brothers made wrestling history in the 1980s
“I was able to incorporate old-school bodybuilding and Olympic weightlifting and really achieve the specific look of a pro wrestler,” Zac explained, but it was “really hard.”
Zac also revealed that he would actually wrestle several times a day, on consecutive days a week, during the filming of the matches, which lasted seven to 15 minutes.
The actor explained that the physical change helped him live in his role, but he “withdrew” like his character.
Zac explained that the physical transformation helped him live in his role, but he “withdrew” like his character.
“It was an unexpected ally,” he said. “With all that weight, you don’t feel normal.”
“And the delayed onset muscle soreness went through the roof,” he admitted.
“During preparation, it's one thing to get it under control – you don't have to be particularly social. I found myself becoming quite withdrawn.
The High School Musical alum said his perfectionist tendencies often take over and he has to remind himself that “life is way too short.”
Zac, left, changed his body so much that he was unrecognizable compared to his naturally slim body (right in 2019)
Ahead of the film's release on December 22, Zac showed off his muscular physique in a photoshoot
The High School Musical star gained a whopping 15 pounds of muscle for the role and worked out multiple times a day
Zac revealed that he would wrestle multiple times a day and on consecutive days a week during filming of the matches, which lasted seven to 15 minutes
“I was able to incorporate old-school bodybuilding and Olympic weightlifting and really achieve the specific look of a pro wrestler,” Zac explained, but it was “really hard.”
The former Disney star discussed his role in 17 Again opposite late Friends actor Matthew Perry and how his shocking death affected him
Read the full story in Variety – out now
“We should have fun,” he said. “I have to remind myself that, above all, this should be fun.”
“If from now on I’m stuck with being a perfectionist, then life is far too short.”
From his own experience, he said that growing up in the entertainment industry can be difficult and “lonely” because “what you go through is of very little importance.”
“The goal is always the next mission, the next movie, to make sure everyone else is very happy,” he added. “It can be very lonely at times.”
The former Disney star – who paid tribute to Matthew Perry at the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – also spoke about his role in “17 Again” with the late “Friends” actor and how his shocking death affected him has.
“It's very important to reach out to friends and have relationships where you can talk and share stories,” he said, adding that he's had the opportunity to do that in recent years with Perry.
“I really appreciate the time we spent together,” he continued. “I thought about him a lot every day.”