Hugh Jackman has shown that he's got a sense of humour about his recent split from Deborra-Lee Furness, his wife of three decades.
It has been revealed that the 55-year-old Hollywood fan favourite approved a cheeky joke about their separation for his latest blockbuster film Deadpool & Wolverine.
At one point in the film, Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool says of Hugh's character, Wolverine: 'He's normally shirtless, but he's let himself go after the divorce.'
According to film industry paper Variety, the naughty sledge drew gasps from the audience at the New York premiere.
But in an interview with the film's director Shawn Levy, the filmmaker re-assured fans that the joke had Hugh and his co-star and pal Ryan Reynolds' approval.
'We never did a joke about or with anyone that we didn't run by them first,' Levy explained.
He also revealed that Ryan's line about the divorce was an ad lib.
'Ryan or I would always run the lines by performers and make sure everyone felt comfortable and that we were never punching down,' he added.
Hugh Jackman has shown that he's got a sense of humour about his recent split from Deborra-Lee Furness. The 55-year-old Hollywood fan favourite approved a cheeky joke about their separation for Deadpool & Wolverine. Pictured: Hugh and Deborra-Lee Furness in 2023
Deadpool & Wolverine also includes another 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 felt good about. Those lines wouldn't be in the movie if Hugh and Jen didn't think they were funny,' Levy added.
Last year, Hugh announced he had split from long-time wife Deborra-Lee after 27 years of marriage.
The former couple revealed to fans that they had separated 'to pursue our individual growth'.
'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting 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 says to Hugh's character Wolverine: 'He's normally shirtless, but he's let himself go after the divorce.' An interview with the film's director Shawn Levy in Variety has re-assured fans that the joke had Hugh's approval
'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly 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 sole statement either of us will make.'
The pair had tied the knot in 1996 after crossing paths on set of Correlli in 1995.
During the course of their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18.
