Stanley Simons and Zac Efron at the world premiere ofThe Iron Clawin Dallas on Nov. 8, 2023; Efron and Vanessa Hudgens inHigh School Musical 2(2007).Photo:Omar Vega/Getty; Adam Larkey/The Disney Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock
Omar Vega/Getty; Adam Larkey/The Disney Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock
Zac Efronwill always be a Wildcat in Stanley Simons' heart!
PEOPLE spoke with Simons Wednesday in Dallas at the world premiere ofThe Iron Claw, in which he and Efron play real-life wrestlers and siblings Mike and Kevin Von Erich, respectively.
“I sung [some of’Breaking Free'] to Zac when I was playing my music scene. That was definitely a life experience that I’ll never forget,” Simons said when asked about working with someone he grew up watching.
“When I was singing the song, he was like, ‘Oh, you’re not hitting it, you’re not hitting it.’ I was like, ‘Oh,’ and I redid it. And I think I did a good job!” he added.
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Stanley Simons, Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson at the world premiere ofThe Iron Clawin Dallas on Nov. 8, 2023.Omar Vega/Getty
Omar Vega/Getty
Simons didn’t stop there. “When we were in the ring I was like, ‘I got to get my head in the game,’ " he continued, name-checkinganother song from the first film, released in 2006.
The actor says he “just had to not think about” the fact that he was working alongside such a seasoned star he was familiar with ahead of time.
“AndLily Jameswas Cinderella! I had Troy Bolton and Cinderella in one scene together,” he added, joking, “It was a little bit of a mind— I don’t want to say the word.”
Simons plays the youngest of the Von Erich brothers depicted inThe Iron Claw, Mike, alongside Efron as Kevin plusJeremy Allen Whiteas Kerry andHarris Dickinsonas David.
“We really bonded and got to hang out,” Simons said of their time making the film. “When we got on set it just felt natural. They were really welcoming to me, not just my brothers but all the cast members. So it was a little nerve-racking, but they just were very open.”
Harris Dickinson, Zac Efron, Stanley Simons and Jeremy Allen White inThe Iron Claw(2023).Eric Chakeen
Eric Chakeen
Kevin is the only surviving Von Erich brother (a group that also includes Chris Von Erich, not depicted in the film).
The retired professional wrestler, now 66, appeared at the premiere alongside the cast, where he told PEOPLE that Efron “had a tough job” instepping into his shoes.
“It’s not easy to be me. I wrestled seven years World Class, but then I wrestled 22 years,” Kevin said. “That’s a whole lot to cram into a movie, but he was able to do it … he’s a real star. They all are.”
Asked whether he has seenHigh School Musical, Kevin said, “I didn’t see that one, but I’m sure [Zac] did well.”
The Iron Clawis in theaters Dec. 22.
source: people.com
