NEED TO KNOW
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are considering taking their talents on the road.
The Song Sung Blue costars are leaning into the live music scene leading up to the film’s Dec. 25 release, frequently previewing their nostalgic vocal harmonies. In the movie, Jackman, 57, and Hudson, 46, play Mike and Claire Sardina, a real-life married couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band called Lightning & Thunder in Milwaukee.
As life imitates art, it’s no surprise that the actors have been launching into song at various events during the promotional run. In October, Hudson joined her costar onstage at one of his final Radio City Music Hall concerts in New York City to sing Diamond’s hits “Cherry, Cherry” and “Sweet Caroline.” The duo also gave a memorable impromptu performance after The Gotham Awards, where they had received a Musical Tribute award.
Jackman, who is one letter shy of EGOT status (Oscar), riffed with Hudson at Song Sung Blue’s New York City premiere on Thursday, Dec. 11, joking that they were planning an actual tour.
“We’re signed,” he tells PEOPLE with a wink. “I’ve got the papers inside. And we’re not starting the screening until you’ve signed it.”
To which the Almost Famous actress keeps up with his humor, responding that she would “do it” — but only “under coercion.”
“I wanted 15 years and she’s negotiating me down to 12,” Jackman adds.
“We’ll see,” Hudson jokes back.
Kristina Bumphrey/WWD via Getty; Mike Coppola/Getty
The Wolverine actor recently finished his 24-show run of Hugh Jackman: From New York, With Love at Radio City Music Hall, which spanned January to October. He’s also proved his vocal chops onscreen in The Greatest Showman and Les Misérables, as well as on stage with the 2022 revival of The Music Man and his 2004 Tony Award-winning performance in The Boy from Oz.
Hudson is meanwhile making quite the splash with a solo music career. In May 2024, she released her debut album Glorious, leading to performances earlier this year at iconic venues, including the Roxy in Los Angeles and the BottleRock Napa Valley festival.
Courtesy of Focus Features
Jackman and Hudson also had a special joint performance in a more intimate setting: Neil Diamond’s home. Given their recent work with his discography, it was fitting that Diamond asked them to sing at a dinner he recently hosted for them.
“When you go to Neil’s place for dinner and he says, do you wanna do karaoke, 100% you say yes, but you make sure your phone is charged and someone is videoing that,” Jackman tells PEOPLE.
Courtesy of Focus Features
Director Craig Brewer’s Song Sung Blue, which is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs, hits theaters Dec. 25.
