'Yes, I'd get married again': Sean Penn opens up about Charlize Theron... and admits tension with ex Robin Wright

Published: 19:23 EST, 28 January 2015 | Updated: 20:42 EST, 28 January 2015

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He’s known for being fiercely private about his personal life.

But it seems the name Charlize Theron can loosen the lips of even the most stubborn man.

In a rare interview with Esquire, Sean Penn revealed at 54 he had thought it was too late to find love again and why third time's a charm as he plans to head the down the aisle with Charlize.

Heading home: The actor admitted, ‘I’m in love with a woman and home is where the heart is, right?' as he prepared to set up home properly with Charlize Theron and her three-year old adopted son Jackson

Adopting a sober pose in a crisp open-necked suit in the accompanying black and white photos, the actor and humanitarian activist revealed love came as shock to him.

He confessed: 'I'm surprised to be in love. Lot of reasons. 53 years old plus finally beginning to figure out why you haven’t been happy in a single relationship? It could seem too late.'

And after years of openly struggling with his temper and even attending court-appointed anger management classes in 2012 to escape a jail term for attacking a photographer, he credits Charlize with helping to exorcise his demons.

'To run into somebody now who you care about is a much passionate, deeper, truer and – God! – a much happier feeling. It’s a lot more romantic and a lot more fulfilling to be in a relationship and to think you’re a good person within it.'

High flyer: Sean seemed to reject his first two marriages - to Madonna and Robin Wright - saying, 'I’ve been married twice before but I’ve been married under circumstances where I was less informed than I am today, so I wouldn’t even consider a third marriage, I’d consider [marrying Charlize] a first marriage'

Read the full interview in the Esquire March 2015 issue - on sale Thursday 29 January

The pair went public with their relationship in January 2014 and were rumouring to have become engaged lastChristmas, with Sean reportedly applying to adopt Charlize's three-year-old son Jackson.

And Sean as good as confirmed that marriage is on the cards with the South African beauty, admitting, ‘Yes, I’d get married again’.

He said was preparing to settle properly with Charlize and Jackson in Los Angeles after five years splitting his time between the US and Haiti, where his charity is based.

‘I’m in love with a woman and home is where the heart is, right?’ he explained.

Sean was previously married to Madonna, from 1985 to 1989, and actress Robin Wright, who managed 14 years with the actor until they parted in 2010.

But in words that might come as a slap in the face to his two former wives, the Milk actor claimed that he considered a potential union with Charlize ‘a first marriage’ and a completely fresh slate.

“You say I’ve been married twice before but I’ve been married under circumstances where I was less informed than I am today, so I wouldn’t even consider a third marriage, I’d consider it a first marriage on its own terms if I got married again. I mean, I like the tradition,” he stated.

Perhaps not unsurprisingly then, Sean also made a thinly-veiled dig at his relationship with Forrest Gump star Robin, mother of his children Dylan and Hopper.

He explained: 'I’m very friendly with my first ex-wife. I would say that I’m on extremely good terms with the children I share with my second ex-wife.'

Read the full interview in the Esquire March 2015 issue - on sale Thursday 29 January. Also available as a digital edition.

Sean Penn dodges questions about marrying Charlize Theron