Why Hugh Jackman 'Was Thrilled' to Bulk Up Again for Deadpool & Wolverine (Exclusive)

Hugh Jackman didn't mind getting back into superhero shape for Deadpool & Wolverine.

While Jackman, 55, sat down with his friend and costar Ryan Reynolds for PEOPLE's May cover story to talk about their longtime friendship and reprising the beloved X-Men character Wolverine, the actor discussed the body transformation he had to undergo.

"I had got to the point, it must have been probably 10 years ago, I was like, I'm not enjoying it. It was hurting. It was tough," Jackman, who last played Logan / Wolverine in 2017's Logan, says. "But I've had a break, and I've been doing a lot of dance. I've been doing stage shows and arena shows. And so 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. And I realized how good it is for your brain," he adds, as he and Reynolds, 47, share the diets they take on in order to add muscle for their superhero movies.

"I have to eat a lot. For me, for my body type, I'm naturally skinny — to get the size on, that's the hardest bit," Jackman adds. "That's the bit that does my head in."

"Yeah, the five, six meals a day. Which sounds great to some people," Reynolds notes. "But it's not like the type of food that you would really necessarily enjoy."

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Reynolds and Jackman, who first met while playing Wade Wilson and Logan in 2009's X-Men: Origins - Wolverine, also discussed how Jackman's work in theater and dance benefitted how he performed action choreography.

"Particularly the physicality, that ability, the dance and that background really came [in handy], because you would do stuff where I was convinced when you were coming at me a few times, there is no way this guy's pulling his punch," Reynolds says.

Joining Jackman and Reynolds in the new movie's cast are Emma Corrin, who portrays the villain Cassandra Nova, as well as Matthew Macfadyen, Leslie Uggams, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney and a host of cameos from A-list stars of superhero movies of the past.

Deadpool & Wolverine is in theaters now.