Malcolm McDowell, 81, says reuniting with ex-wife Mary Steenburgen, 71, for upcoming film was 'like putting on a pair of comfortable slippers'

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Malcolm McDowell and his ex-wife Mary Steenburgen are set to share the screen once more, marking a significant reunion after over three decades. 

The former couple, who divorced in 1990 after a decade of marriage, will appear together in the upcoming Last Train to Fortune, their first collaboration since the 1983 film Cross Creek. 

The British actor, 81, shared that reuniting with the Stepbrothers alum, 71, felt natural and comfortable, especially given their first meeting on the set of 1979's Time After Time.

'I didn't really know how it would be, but from the first moment we started rehearsing it was like putting on a pair of comfortable slippers,' he told People on Friday. 

'Just the working experience was so comfortable and so "I've got your back," that kind of thing,' he added.

McDowell noted that their chemistry was as strong as it was back in the day when they worked together on Time After Time, which was a wonderful experience for both of them. 

'We both kind of fell in love on that film, but we're both now with other partners and very happy,' he added. 

McDowell married Kelley Kuhr in 1991, while Steenburgen has been married to Ted Danson since 1995. 

In the Western genre movie, McDowell portrays Cecil Peachtree, a strict schoolmaster who misses the last train to Fortune around the 1870s. 

He encounters an outlaw named Dooley (played by James Paxton) and they make a pact: Dooley agrees to escort Cecil to Fortune in exchange for the schoolmaster's awaited stipend. 

McDowell mentioned that the film's producers initially suggested he contact Steenburgen, with whom he shares daughter Lilly, 43, and Charlie, 40, and convince her to join the movie. 

However, he ultimately delegated the task to another member of the production team. 

'She read it and she said, "Yes, I'd love to do it,"' he told the outlet. 'When I went on set, she just looked at me and said, "Why didn't you call me?" I remember saying to her, "Well, you are here, aren't you? So it doesn't matter who called."' 

He also mentioned that Steenburgen provided valuable insights on set that enhanced their scene together. 

'She said, "Well, before you get [to Fortune], I'm teaching the kids, but I can't be a very good teacher, can I? If we've hired you to come and teach. Otherwise I would do it myself,' " he recalled. 

'I went, "Well, that is a good point. You better not be teaching 'em too well." So just little things like that.'

He added, 'She's really great. It was lovely.'