The movie Neighbors, which revolves around a group of fraternity brothers, included some intense physical scenes that led to injuries during filming. On a recent episode of Call Her Daddy, host Alex Cooper questioned Dave Franco about how Zac Efron hurt his hand on set. Franco described the moment when Efron sustained the injury in a particularly rough fight scene.
Details of the Injury in a Fraternity Fight Scene
Neighbors features a rivalry between a young couple, Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne), and the fraternity next door led by Teddy (Zac Efron) and Pete (Dave Franco). The conflict culminates in a signature party hosted by the fraternity. In one memorable scene, Teddy and Pete engage in a physical confrontation after Pete sleeps with Teddy’s girlfriend. During the struggle, they both grab each other’s groin area in a bid to overpower one another, which is when Efron sustained his injury.
Franco recalled,
“I’m trying to remember if I was wearing a cup and he came in just really strong,”
adding,
“I think it was a dislocated thumb to be fair, but it happened.”
He further explained,
“I just think he came in with enough force from the wrong angle.”
Cast’s Commitment to Performing Their Own Stunts
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2014, Zac Efron mentioned that the cast carried out their own stunts throughout the filming of Neighbors. He humorously praised the Franco brothers for their toughness while acknowledging his own injury, saying,
“Those Franco brothers just have balls of steel,”
before confirming,
“But I did legitimately break my hand.”
What This Means for the Production
The injury highlights the physical demands actors face during movie productions, especially in films centered on high-energy, physical comedy like Neighbors. Zac Efron’s dedication to performing stunts adds authenticity to the film’s chaotic and competitive atmosphere. This behind-the-scenes story also gives fans a glimpse into the challenges encountered during the making of the movie’s most intense scenes. The full story and more insights from Dave Franco are available in the Call Her Daddy episode featuring him as a guest.
