One of 2023’s final films, “The Iron Claw,” has pulled in critical acclaim and well over $20 million despite a limited release. It also has a surprising connection to Poplar Bluff: among the cast are local actors Scott Innes and Chelsea Edmundson.
“Everybody’s talking about this movie, and it’s just a great story,” said Innes “It’s an endearing story. It’s a tragic story. If people are going to this movie expecting a wrestling movie, they’re going to be disappointed. It’s not, it’s a drama.”
“The Iron Claw” follows the Von Erich family of wrestling fame, who rocketed to stardom in the 1970s and ‘80s but were hounded by personal tragedy. It was headed by studio A24 and directed by Sean Durkin.
Innes is best known as the voice actor behind Shaggy, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo in the Warner Bros. franchise, but has enjoyed live-action roles as well. In this film, he plays the ring announcer for the Von Erichs’ bouts.
At his agent’s insistence, Innes submitted an audition tape even though he doubted A24 would consider him. Not only was he quickly chosen for the role, Durkin also rearranged the production schedule so Innes had time to help lead the annual fundraiser for Recycling Grace, a charity close to his heart.
“I was able to come home to Poplar Bluff... raise money for Recycling Grace, and then I went right back and then went on set for four days. That was a cool deal,” he said.
Innes’ filming took place over four days in Louisiana. Durkin often let matches run for 15 minutes to shoot from different angles.
“They converted an old furniture store in Baton Rouge into the ‘70s-looking ring... When they said ‘action,’ you swore you were right smack dab in the middle of that ring. I mean, I’ve never seen anything turn off and turn on like that so quick,” he said.
Filming was also fun because Innes shared a “Scooby-Doo connection” with star Zac Efron, who voiced Freddie in the 2020 Netflix adaptation “Scoob!” before playing Kevin Von Erich.
“Zac was amazing,” Innes added.
Edmundson is an actress and producer who most recently appeared alongside Shailene Woodley and Jack Whitehall in “Robots” and had prior roles in “Roswell, New Mexico” and “Army of the Dead.” She plays Tania, a character she described as bringing levity to a serious story.
“My agent Rebecca called and told me that there was a role in an A24 film that I was being considered for. I had written down a few months before this happened, on my birthday, that I wanted to work with A24 that year,” Edmundson recalled. “A24 has made really interesting films in the last several years, pretty much every actor wants to work with them right now, so just the fact that they were the studio that was doing it made me want to get the part.”
She was also eager to work with Durkin since she enjoyed his film “Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene.”
“I didn’t know who was in the cast until later, but knowing those two things was enough for me to want to get the job so I was really excited when I found out I had booked it,” she said.
Like Innes, Edmundson’s scene was also filmed in one, long cut.
“Sean (Durkin) decided that day that our scene would be shot in a single take, no cuts. That made it like doing a short play with all of the other actors and we had to work together and be really present with each other, it was a really cool experience I’ll always remember,” she said.
She continued, “My experience on set was really great. I’m one of the few characters that bring levity to the film. It’s a heavy movie and it felt good to be that person on set that makes people laugh a little bit.”
“The Iron Claw” raked in almost $5 million in its first week, despite sharing the box office with blockbusters like “Wonka” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” At the time of this article, the totals were over $24 million. Since A24 is a smaller studio, Edmundson was “happily surprised” by the film’s success.
“It’s really difficult to get a wide, theatrical release now and for it to be doing so well at the box office has made me really happy. I like all kinds of movies but it’s nice to see a story about an American family, a drama, doing so well,” she said.
Innes was thrilled by the success and predicted money and buzz about the movie would continue, especially once it releases internationally next month.
“You got the little movie that could, and on limited screens, and still pulled in almost $3 million for the (opening) weekend. So that’s huge for an indie film, but this movie is going to end up making millions,” Innes said. “I know for a fact, in my heart, it’s going to win some major awards.”
Both actors will watch the film’s trajectory while working on their next projects: Edmundson is planning a new film with rising producer Kayli Fortun, and Innes is collaborating with director Adam Foster on “Shakespeare’s Mummy” and “Bad Habit.” He will also return to Poplar Bluff for festivities around the April eclipse.
Edmundson’s Instagram handle is @chelsea.edmundson. Innes can be found on the Scott Innes Facebook page and onescottshop.com.