Secrets of Their Friendship!

THE DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE STARS OPEN UP ABOUT REUNITING FOR THEIR SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER, BATTLING NERVES OFFSCREEN AND BEING THERE FOR EACH OTHER FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES

- ANDREA MANDELL

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are trying very hard to keep their People cover interview on track, but they just can’t help themselves. “One thing that we have in common is gracing the cover of this magazine, as I believe it says, ‘World’s Sexiest Man,’” cracks Reynolds, 47, sitting next to his friend of more than 17 years. Jackman cocks an eyebrow: “I thought it was ‘Universe.’”

Having both held the actual title of People’s Sexiest Man Alive is but one of their many common denominators. This summer the two dads (Jackman is father to Oscar, 24, and Ava, 19, with ex Deborra-lee, 68, while Reynolds’s family with wife Blake Lively, 36, includes kids James, 9, Inez, 7, Betty, 4, and a 1-year-old whose name has not been made public) reunite for the highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine (in theaters July 26), the third raucously R-rated film in the Deadpool franchise.

For the action film, Reynolds had to persuade Jackman, 55, to revive the X-Men character that he’d firmly put to bed with 2017’s critically acclaimed Logan. Amid their long-standing fake feud (they regularly and lovingly roast each other on social media), the two offer mutual rock-solid support while navigating impressive Hollywood careers, family and life’s tougher moments. Here the superhero stars sit down in New York City to interview each other.

RYAN REYNOLDS Okay, so where to begin, Hugh? I’ve known you a very long time.

HUGH JACKMAN I just want to be clear: I have nine publicists here.