Even Zac Efron’s ripped biceps couldn’t protect his ego.
The fit actor admitted in a press conference this week that “the biggest injury” he faced while filming his latest project, “The Iron Claw,” was “probably an ego one.”
“It was the very first time that I had to enter the Sportatorium in Kevin [Von Erich’s] full costume, which was just, frankly, a Speedo, or trunks,” he explained to the press at The Ritz Carlton in Dallas, Texas, per People.
“And everybody was out there, there was this huge crowd and the lights were on.”
“I just remember in that moment thinking, ‘How the hell did I end up here? What is going on?'”
He added, “I was frozen in time just going: ‘This is it. This is the end. How did you get here? What choices have you made?'”
Efron, 36, stars opposite Jeremy Allen White, 32, and Harris Dickinson, 27, in “The Iron Claw.”
The film, due out in December, follows the true story of the rise and fall of legendary wrestler Kevin Von Erich and his brothers, who made an immense impact on wrestling in the 1960s.
The “High School Musical” alum revealed Wednesday that Von Erich motivated him to hit the gym for the movie.
“The physicality he brought to the ring every single day was really unique. It changed wrestling,” he told Entertainment Tonight.
“I knew that was going to be the hardest [thing] for me to master and get right. So, I put everything I had into it.”
Efron previously bulked up for 2017’s “Baywatch” film — but has been blunt about his desire to never be in such shape again.
“That was actually a really important time to do ‘Baywatch’ because I realized that when I was done with that movie, I don’t ever want to be in that good of shape again. Really. It was so hard,” he explained on “Hot Ones” in 2020.
“You’re working with almost no wiggle room, right? You’ve got things like water under your skin that you’re worrying about, making your six-pack into a four-pack. S–t like that it’s just not … it’s just stupid.”
And in 2019, he warned fans to not aspire to be so fit.
“I’m telling you, I got very big and buff for that movie,” he said on an episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
“But I don’t want people to think that’s the best way to be. Be your size.”
Efron’s comments about his current physical appearance came as fans questioned the structure of his face as he continues his press tour for “The Iron Claw.”
While many people accused him of getting work done, others brought up the fact that he broke his jaw in 2013.
The “Greatest Showman” star confirmed the accident 2022 interview.
