Hugh Jackman has revealed “the toughest part” of returning to his role as superhero Wolverine in the latest Deadpool film months after his shock divorce announcement.
Jackman, 55, reprises his role as the iconic “mutant” for the latest instalment in the franchise, Deadpool & Wolverine alongside close friend Ryan Reynolds.
The Aussie actor first portrayed the superhero in the X-Men film series starting in 2000 and most recently suited up as Wolverine for 2017’s Logan.
“When I came back to it, it was really fun and I was thrilled. My body was a little sore at the beginning, but I was thrilled that my body was still responding,” he told People magazine in a new interview promoting the film.
“I realised how good it is for your brain. But the hardest bit…the food.”
The Kate & Leopold star said he has always struggled to bulk up to portray the superhuman because the ultra-buff character goes against his “naturally skinny” body type.
“I have to eat a lot,” he said.
“For me, for my body type, I’m naturally skinny. To get the size on, that’s the hardest bit. That’s the bit that does my head in.”
Deadpool & Wolverine marks Jackman’s big return to the silver screen since announcing his shock divorce from Deborra-Lee Furness after 27 years of marriage.
Hollywood insiders were shocked in September 2023 when the long-time showbiz power couple ended their seemingly rock-solid marriage, with Furness, 68, and Jackman jointly revealing they simply grew apart.
“Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,” they said in a joint statement obtained by People magazine.
“Our family has been and always will be our highest priority.”
Last month, the movie star cut a lone figure after appearing at the star-studded Met Gala solo – an event he previously attended each year with Furness on his arm.
According to Women’s Day, the couple’s two children Ava and Oscar are supporting their father through the shock split.
“They know him better than he does and are constantly surprising him,” a close friend of Jackman told the publication in April.
“They’ve become closer than he could have imagined and he can confide in them, whereas before he’d turn to Deb.”