While Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman’s new film may have charmed critics, the son of the real-life performer memorialized by the musical drama claims it destroys his father’s “legacy.”
Song Sung Blue tells the story of couple Claire “Thunder” and the late Mike “Lightning” Sardina, who performed together in a Neil Diamond tribute band called “Lightning & Thunder.” Their relationship was first profiled in a 2008 documentary of the same name, before their trials and tribulations were adapted for the December 2025 movie, directed by Craig Brewer.
In a new interview with Daily Mail, Mike’s 41-year-old son Michael Sardina Jr. claimed his father would be “rolling in his grave right now” over the big screen portrayal.
“Everybody thinks it’s such a wonderful film, it’s so touching. It’s all lies,” claimed Michael Jr. “And it steals all the hard work that my father put in his entire life…”
Michael Jr. and his sister Angelina Sardina became step-siblings to Claire’s two children, Rachel and Dayna, when Claire and Mike married in 1994. Mike died in 2006, two years before the couple’s 17-year-long career and 12-year marriage was profiled in Greg Kohs’ documentary.
Focus Features
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Claire has thrown her full support behind the film, first attending the Milwaukee premiere of the film on Dec. 2 with her daughter Rachel, joining Jackman and film director Craig Brewer for its intro.
The next day, Claire shared the mic with Jackman for a rendition of “Sweet Caroline” at Landmark Lanes in Milwaukee. She also attended the film’s New York premiere on Dec. 11, alongside Hudson, Rachel, and her son Dayna.
Sarah Shatz/Focus Features
The disgruntled son claimed he was paid to be a consultant on the film, as was his sister Angelina, but he alleges he was “purposely cut out of the film.” Daily Mail reviewed text conversations between Angelina and the film’s producer, John Fox, which appeared to confirm the monetary figure, according to the outlet. Daily Mail also reported that the contract signed by Angelina, who is portrayed by King Princess in the film, included her authorization that her persona would be fictionalized onscreen.
Michael Jr. is not featured in the film as a character, though he also did not participate in the 2008 documentary. Both he and Angelina were invited to the Dec. 11 premiere of Song Sung Blue in New York City, they told Daily Mail, and both attended.
“Every interview that those monsters have been on national television don’t even mention my existence at all, even though I was the most prevalent force in my father’s life, even when I wasn’t in Wisconsin, because I’m his only son,” Michael Jr. claimed to Daily Mail. “They didn’t even try to contact me . . . They didn’t try to get more information… They could have very easily asked Craig [Brewer]..”
His issues with the film are several, though Michael Jr. claimed the biggest problem is the musical drama not showing the tensions he said existed in the couple’s household.
“The only thing that was true is the love between my dad and Claire,” Angelina told the Daily Mail. She added, “It’s a beautiful story, but that’s not how it went down. And I guess that’s what’s upsetting because it’s a lie.”
Courtesy of Focus Features
The cast and crew “completely destroyed the one thing my father worked his entire life to pass on – his legacy,” Michael Jr. alleged, adding, “I want the true story out there and I want it used with truth, with dignity, and I want retribution.”
Reps for Jackman, Hudson and Brewer did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment, nor did Focus Features and NBCUniversal.
