Song Sung Blue (film)
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Get ready to be swept away! In 2025, a brand new American biographical musical drama, *Song Sung Blue*, hits the screen, brought to you by the visionary talents of producer, writer, and director Craig Brewer.
This cinematic journey is inspired by the compelling 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs, and it stars the incredible Hugh Jackman and the captivating Kate Hudson as Mike and Claire Sardina. They are the dynamic duo behind the Neil Diamond tribute band, Lightning & Thunder, and their story is as electrifying as the music they play. The film itself is a heartfelt homage, taking its title from Diamond's iconic song, "Song Sung Blue."
Joining Jackman and Hudson is a stellar ensemble cast, including Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, the emerging talent of King Princess, the commanding presence of Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, the always brilliant Fisher Stevens, and the beloved Jim Belushi.
Mark your calendars! *Song Sung Blue* made its dazzling world premiere at the 2025 AFI Film Festival on October 26th, and will be gracing cinemas across the United States, released by Focus Features, on December 25th, 2025.
The cast brings these characters to life: Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina, known as "Lightning," and Kate Hudson as Claire Sardina, the electrifying "Thunder." Ella Anderson portrays Rachel Cartwright, Claire's daughter from her first marriage, while King Princess embodies Angelina Sardina, Mike's daughter from his first marriage. Hudson Hensley steps in as Dayna Cartwright, Claire's son. Adding to the rich tapestry are Michael Imperioli as Mark Shurilla, a Buddy Holly impersonator turned guitarist, Mustafa Shakir as the sensational Sex Machine, a James Brown impersonator, and Fisher Stevens as Dave Watson. Guiding them all is Jim Belushi as Tom D’Amato, the savvy manager of "Lightning and Thunder." You'll also see Erika Slezak as Frances Stingl, Claire’s mother, and Sean Allan Krill as Buddy Holmes, a promoter, alongside Beth Malone as Bridget.
The magic behind *Song Sung Blue* began to unfold in October 2024, when Focus Features announced this musical drama, with Craig Brewer at the helm, writing, co-producing, and directing. The core cast, including Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley, was confirmed to be rounding out the main cast.
A true honor: Neil Diamond himself granted the rights to use his beloved music in the film, just as he had for the original documentary, where he first encountered the real-life Sardinas.
Principal photography commenced on October 14, 2024, in the scenic Monmouth County, New Jersey, with a memorable house in Old Tappan serving as another key location. Filming wrapped on December 11th, under the masterful eye of cinematographer Amy Vincent. And in a delightful surprise in June 2025, it was announced that the esteemed Erika Slezak would also be part of this cinematic endeavor.
The anticipation for *Song Sung Blue* was palpable! To ignite the excitement, from October 3rd to 4th, 2025, Jackman and Hudson graced the iconic Radio City Music Hall with a special live concert presentation, performing songs from the film.
*Song Sung Blue* officially premiered at the AFI Film Festival on October 26th, 2025, and its magic continued to captivate audiences with a screening at the Savannah Film Festival on October 30th, 2025. Get ready for the nationwide debut, as the film is set for a wide release in the United States on December 25th, 2025, courtesy of Focus Features.
Early buzz is strong! On Rotten Tomatoes, *Song Sung Blue* is receiving glowing reviews, with 86% of 14 critics' reviews being positive. This is a film you won't want to miss!
Song Sung Blue is a 2025 American biographical musical drama film produced, written and directed by Craig Brewer. Based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs, it stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed as the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder. The title is named after Diamond's "Song Sung Blue". It also stars Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi.
The film had its world premiere at the 2025 AFI Film Festival on October 26, before being released by Focus Features in the United States on December 25.
== Cast ==
Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina aka "Lightning"
Kate Hudson as Claire Sardina aka "Thunder"
Ella Anderson as Rachel Cartwright, Claire's daughter from her first marriage
King Princess as Angelina Sardina, Mike's daughter from his first marriage
Hudson Hensley as Dayna Cartwright, Claire's son from her first marriage
Michael Imperioli as Mark Shurilla, a Buddy Holly impersonator turned guitarist
Mustafa Shakir as Sex Machine, a James Brown impersonator
Fisher Stevens as Dave Watson
Jim Belushi as Tom D’Amato, "Lightning and Thunder's" manager
Erika Slezak as Frances Stingl, Claire’s mother
Sean Allan Krill as Buddy Holmes, a promoter
Beth Malone as Bridget
== Production ==
In October 2024, it was announced that a musical drama film based on the 2008 documentary Song Sung Blue was in development at Focus Features with Craig Brewer writing, co-producing, and directing the film, with Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley rounding out the main cast.
Neil Diamond granted the rights to use his music in the film, as he had also done for the original documentary, in which he met the real life Sardinas.
Principal photography began on October 14, 2024, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. A house in Old Tappan, New Jersey was another significant film location. Filming wrapped on December 11. Amy Vincent was the cinematographer. It was announced in June 2025 that Erika Slezak would be film.
== Release ==
To promote the film, from October 3-4 2025, Jackman and Hudson performed songs from the film live in a special concert presentation at Radio City Music Hall.
Song Sung Blue had its world premiere at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025. The film also screened at the Savannah Film Festival on October 30, 2025.
The film will be wide-released in the United States on December 25, 2025 by Focus Features.
=== Music ===
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 14 critics' reviews are positive.
=== Accolades ===
== References ==
== External links ==
Official website
Song Sung Blue at IMDb
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