Zac Efron’s Iron Claw Costar Stanley Simons Sang a High School Musical Song to Him on Set (Exclusive)

Zac Efron will always be the Wildcat in Stanley Simons’ heart!

PEOPLE spoke with Simons on Wednesday in Dallas at the film’s world premiere Iron Clawin which he and Efron play real-life wrestlers and siblings Mike and Kevin Von Erich.

The actor said he had fun with Efron, 36, on set, referring to his successful role in the film High school musical franchise.

“I sang [some of ‘Breaking Free’] Zacu when I was playing my music scene. It was definitely an experience of a lifetime that I’ll never forget,” Simons said when asked about working with someone he grew up watching.

“When I sang the song, he said, ‘Oh, you don’t hit, you don’t hit.’ I said, ‘Oh,’ and I did it again. 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 of the film Iron Claw in Dallas on November 8, 2023.

Omar Vega/Getty

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Simons didn’t stop there. “When we were in the ring, I was like, ‘I’ve got to get my head in the game,'” he continued, name-checking another song from the first film, released in 2006.

The actor says that he “simply didn’t have to think” about the fact that he was working with such an experienced star that he had known before.

“And Lily James was Cinderella! I had Troy Bolton and Cinderella in one scene together,” he added, joking, “It was a bit of a mind — I don’t want to say that word.”

Simons plays the youngest of the Von Erich brothers featured in the Iron ClawMike, with Efron as Kevin plus Jeremy Allen White as Kerry and Harris Dickinson as David.

“We got really close and got to hang out,” Simons said of their time on the set. “When we got on set, it was natural. They were really welcoming, not just my brothers, but all the crew. It was a little nerve-wracking, but they were just very open.”

Harris Dickinson, Zac Efron, Stanley Simons and Jeremy Allen White Iron Claw (2023).

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Kevin is the only surviving Von Erich brother (a group that also includes Chris Von Erich, who is not featured 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” getting into his shoes.

“It’s not easy being me. I wrestled for seven years in the world class, but then I wrestled for 22 years,” Kevin said. “It’s a lot to cram into a movie, but he did it… he’s a real star. Everyone is.”

Asked if he saw High school musicalsaid Kevin, “I haven’t seen him, but I’m sure [Zac] did good.”

Iron Claw it’s in theaters on December 22.

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