Jeremy Allen White Discusses What He Appreciates About Pro Wrestling During “The Iron Claw” Press Tour

Jeremy Allen White talks pro-wrestling.

The acclaimed actor from the hit FX series The Bear will be starring as Kerry Von Erich in the upcoming film The Iron Claw, which tells the story of the legendary Von Erich Family. White spoke with the press to promote the film, where he revealed what he appreciates most about the sport.

The athleticism in the sport is like, it’s like dance, gymnastics, combat sport. It’s like so many things,” he said. “What struck me in working with Chavo and preparing was like, I was thinking about it in the sense of like, a choreographed fight scene where I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll hit the guy here, and I’ll drop kick here, and I’ll go off the rope here.’ I wasn’t thinking of it in the sense of a full performance, a full narrative, full storytelling. The moments in between these moves are oftentimes even more important for the audience than the moves themselves. That’s what gets people sucked in. That’s what gets people excited.

White recalls training with Chavo Guerrero Jr. for his role, later adding that pro-wrestlers are true artists and performers for how they tell stories.

I remember, I’d have this routine, I’d be jumping up and down off the ropes and all the stuff I’d be exhausted, and then Chavo would say, ‘And then you have to like charge up!’ I was like, ‘Charge up? I want to breathe.’ He’s like, ‘No, you gotta be stomping!’ I think that was fascinating. Understanding the wrestling world in that broader aspect of the storytelling and these guys as real performers, outside of the obvious athleticism. They’re real artists, real performers, and real storytellers.

The Iron Claw will hit theaters this December. Check out White’s full comments below courtesy of Deadline.

(WATCH) Jeremy Allen White on what surprised him about the sport of wrestling while making #TheIronClaw pic.twitter.com/BBKvLVvs1C

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) November 9, 2023