Hugh Jackman has shown he has a sense of humour about his recent split from Deborra-Lee Furness, his wife of 30 years.
It has been revealed that the 55-year-old Hollywood favourite approved a cheeky joke about their divorce for his latest blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine.
At one point in the film, Deadpool’s Ryan Reynolds says of Hugh’s character Wolverine, “He’s normally shirtless, but after the divorce, he let himself go.”
According to a film industry newspaper VarietyThe mischievous sleigh caused hilarious reactions from the audience at the New York premiere.
But in an interview with the film’s director, Shawn Levy, the filmmaker assured fans that Hugh and his co-star and friend Ryan Reynolds approved of the prank.
“We never made a joke about or with anyone without going through them first,” Levy explained.
He also revealed that Ryan’s comment about the divorce was improvised.
“Ryan and I would always go over the lyrics with the artists and make sure everyone was comfortable and that we were never pushing things too hard,” he added.
Hugh Jackman has shown he has a sense of humour about his recent split from Deborra-Lee Furness. The 55-year-old Hollywood favourite approved a cheeky joke about their divorce for Deadpool & Wolverine. Pictured: Hugh and Deborra-Lee Furness in 2023
Deadpool & Wolverine also contains a joke about the divorce of former couple Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, who plays Elektra in the film.
“It was all in a playful spirit that everyone was comfortable with. Those lines wouldn’t be in the movie if Hugh and Jen didn’t find them funny,” Levy added.
Last year, Hugh announced that he was splitting from his wife Deborra-Lee after 27 years of marriage.
The former couple told fans they split “to pursue our individual growth.”
“We have been fortunate to spend nearly three decades together in a beautiful, loving marriage. Our journey is now changing and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,” the couple said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
At one point in the film, Ryan Reynolds, as Deadpool, tells Hugh’s character Wolverine, “He normally doesn’t wear a shirt, but after the divorce, he really let himself go.” An interview with the film’s director, Shawn Levy, in Variety has assured fans that the joke met with Hugh’s approval.
“Our family is and always will be our highest priority. We begin this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness. We appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition.”
The former couple signed the statement as “Deb and Hugh Jackman,” adding: “This is the only statement either of us will make.”
The couple married in 1996, after meeting on the set of Correlli in 1995.
During their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18.