Why Iron Claw’s Biggest Wrestler Cameo Was Cut

The Iron Claw‘s anticipated wrestler cameo gets a detailed explanation of why it was cut. Written and directed by BAFTA nominee Sean Durkin, with Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Holt McCallany leading the cast, The Iron Claw is a biopic that focuses on the life of the Von Erichs, a highly influential wrestling family that’s had a turbulent life. AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman was announced as having a supporting role in the A24 movie, which marks his live-action acting debut, though his role is reduced to a brief appearance in the final cut.

In an interview with ComicBook.com, Friedman detailed why his part in The Iron Claw ended up being reduced. Friedman, who is also an executive producer on the biopic, noted that he initially had more screen time as a fictional Von Erich brother, Lance. However, he candidly explained why his increased presence did not serve the core story between the actual Von Erich brothers. In the quote below, the AEW champion sheds light on what his scene would have been and elaborates further on his perspective:

“There most certainly is [an extended scene]. I don’t know where it’s going to live. There was a scene where me and him were talking, but me and Sean both completely understood that listen, I want this film to succeed, and the film needed to be about the brothers. As fun as I had shooting that scene, realistically, it didn’t add to the overarching story and the importance of the story between the brothers and what they were going through in dealing with the pressures that their father put on them. It didn’t fit in the pieces of the puzzle.

“I’m sure that you’re going to find that there was a lot of stuff that got cut and it wasn’t because it wasn’t good. I think everything that was shot was absolutely fantastic. Not just my stuff, but every actor had stuff that got cut. It’s just like there’s only so much time. The story that’s most important is the brothers. That’s what it came down to. I couldn’t agree with Sean Durkin more on the decisions he made. The film is an absolute masterpiece.

“There were a lot of other things that were cut in regards to their history. If there is a director’s cut, I think people will have a lot of fun with it, but again, if there’s not, the theatrical cut is good. I’m not just saying that because I’m an EP. The story kicks you in the f–king balls, man. That’s what you want. That’s what you want in a drama. There’s also moments of levity and there’s moments of comedy. It makes you want to cry and it makes you want to laugh. I can’t think of a better endorsement for a film than that.”

Is MJF Wrestling’s Next Crossover Star?

In the same interview, Friedman (also known simply by the initials MJF) mentions his desire to be known as an actor alongside the likes of John Cena, Dave Bautista, and Dwayne Johnson. He’s off to a great start, even beyond the connections he’s made with Durkin and Efron on The Iron Claw. At the age of just 27, and after only a relatively short time on AEW’s roster, MJF has emerged as the company’s brightest star.

He’s been profiled in mainstream publications and, in 2020, he was cited by Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Wesley Morris as giving one of the best performances of that year. This was in reference to a musical duet that MJF performed with wrestling legend Chris Jericho. It was hardly a typical segment for a wrestling show, but Friedman has been applauded for his focus on character development and storytelling. As a result, and at his best, MJF’s moments of just talking to a crowd can be as thrilling and engrossing as any wrestling match.

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All 7 Real-Life Wrestlers In The Iron Claw

The Iron Claw depicts several famous real-life pro wrestlers but also features a number of cameos who have decades of collective wrestling experience.

Friedman may not have had a sizable role to play on-screen in The Iron Claw and its ending. However, based on the unforgettable moments that he’s created so early in his career and the care he’s known to put into his performances, MJF is well-positioned to make an impact in Hollywood whenever he decides to make that jump. Perhaps, following the success of The Iron Claw, he can collaborate with the creative team on another project in the future.