Film fans are insisting Zac Efron should have been nominated for an Oscar after spotting an incredible subtle detail in his latest film.
After rising to fame in the all-singing, all-dancing role of Troy Bolton in High School Musical, Efron branched out over the years with more dramatic and dark roles, such as Ted Bundy in the 2019 film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.
While much less sinister, Efron took on another intense role in his most recent project, The Iron Claw.
Efron starred in the movie as Kevin Von Erich; a brother in the infamous Von Erich wrestling family who found fame and success in the 1980s.
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However, for every success the family earned, there was tragedy waiting around the corner.
Directed by Sean Durkin, The Iron Claw details all of the harrowing, shocking and heartbreaking moments the family went through, from competitive losses and relationship struggles to deaths, injuries and mental health issues.
There are plenty of emotional moments throughout the movie, but according to Durkin, Efron wasn't allowed to let his character cry.
Speaking to AFP, the director explained: “Zac is such a committed, generous guy. He’s so full of emotion.
“So much of the direction was telling him, ‘Don’t cry – not yet, not yet!’"
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Efron was tasked with making sure his character was portraying an appropriate amount of emotion for the situation without actually breaking down into tears - a fine balancing act he had to keep up for almost the entire film.
It wasn't until the very last day of shooting that he could actually cross that line, with Durkin explaining: "Until we shot the final scene on the final day and I could say: ‘OK, now you can let it all out.’
“And he did, for take after take after take.”
Unfortunately The Iron Claw didn't earn a single nomination at this year's Oscars, but after news of Efron's impressive emotional control gained attention on Instagram, many film fans argued that he should have been better recognized for his performance.
Responding to clips of Efron's performance in The Iron Claw, one Instagram user wrote: "Should’ve gotten an Oscar nomination."
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Another agreed, adding: "This movie was beyond amazing, deserved every award possible."
On X, viewers shared the same opinion.
"Iron Claw being shut out of the Oscars is probably the biggest snub for me," one frustrated viewer wrote, adding: "The movie was heartbreaking and compelling.
"It deserves to be recognized, and, if anything, a nomination for Zac Efron. His transformation for that role was some of the best acting I’ve seen."
Topics: Zac Efron, Oscars, Wrestling, Film and TV, Viral