(people.com) - Hugh Jackman is protective over his former costar Scarlett Johansson - but says she has a good man in his X-Men colleague Ryan Reynolds. "Ryan Reynolds is one of the funniest guys I've ever met," Wolverine's alter ego, currently promoting his new movie Deception, tells Entertainment Tonight Canada . Adds Jackman: "And umm, we had a really good chat about his girlfriend, because I'm very fond of Scarlett, and both my wife [Deborra-Lee Furness] and I are very [proprietary] about Scarlett, [and] he got a big thumbs up from me." The Australian, 39, advised his 23-year-old costar, who appeared with him in 2006's Scoop and The Prestige, "So Scarlett, if you're watching, big thumbs up!" Asked if he were bestowing his blessing upon the couple, Jackman replied, "I'm giving my blessing, exactly." Fearful he was sounding old fashioned, however, Jackman further enthused about Reynolds, 31, "He's phenomenal."