Ryan Reynolds on How His Hugh Jackman Friendship Is Like a Marriage

In People’s latest issue (on newsstands May 31), Deadpool & Wolverine co-stars Ryan Reynolds, 47, and Hugh Jackman, 55, shared how their 17-year friendship is similar to a marriage. Reynolds has been married to Blake Lively since 2012, while Jackman recently split from his wife of 27 years, Deborra-Lee Furness.

“I think the secret sauce to a long-lasting Hollywood friendship is not too dissimilar to having a partner or a marriage,” Reynolds told Jackman during their interview. “I am genuinely rooting for you, all the time. I want you to win. It’s the same way I feel about Blake. As I’m rooting for her, I know she’s rooting for me, and it’s why we’re so connected.”

Jackman first met Reynolds shortly before the younger actor debuted his version of Deadpool in 2008’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Reynolds recalled Jackman welcoming him with open arms, and the two have been inseparable ever since.

“I was nervous as hell,” Reynolds remembered. “I was walking through the trailers, jet-lagged, disoriented, feeling really green and kind of out of my depth…And I heard my name, ‘Ryan!’ in between these trailers as I was walking. And it was you. Just the fact that you knew my name meant so much to me. And you came over, you gave me a big hug and you said, ‘Welcome aboard.’”

However, Jackman reported their friendship has taken on new dimensions in the last few years. He and Reynolds now turn to each other for tough advice, and to share their deepest fears.

“Ever since I’ve known you, and I would say in particular in like the last five, 10 years, we’ve had more time where we go for our walks because you’re an unbelievable listener,” Jackman said. “So you can tell me anything and I can tell you anything, and I don’t feel like you’re going to be judging or necessarily giving me the answer: ‘Do this.’ And I think that has been the key.”

Reynolds emphatically agreed: “We rely on each other for the real kind of advice that you want,” to which Jackman thoughtfully replied: “There’s probably fewer friends in our life that you can say anything to, the stuff you’re ashamed, embarrassed, anything.”

You can read Jackman and Reynolds’ full interview when the new issue of People drops on Friday. Deadpool & Wolverine, which is already setting box office records, hits cinemas on July 26.