Kate Hudson is addressing criticism levied against her and her new biopic Song Sung Blue by the son of one its subjects.
The musical, which is written and directed by Craig Brewer, tells the story of real-life couple Claire “Thunder” (Hudson) and the late Mike “Lightning” Sardina (Hugh Jackman) as they get together and form a Neil Diamond tribute band called “Lightning & Thunder.”
However, not everyone was picking up good vibrations from the film. In a scathing Daily Mail interview last month, Mike’s son Michael Jr. condemned the film, claiming its story was “all lies” and calling Hudson and Jackman “monsters” for not mentioning him on their promotional tour.
Sarah Shatz/Focus Features
When asked about Michael’s remarks in a recent Hollywood Reporter interview, Hudson deflected the question.
“Honestly, I don’t even know,” she told the outlet. “Out of respect for our filmmakers, I’m not the right person to speak to it.”
Still, the Golden Globe-winning actress noted that she met and had conversations with Claire about the film. “I’m so happy that I got to know Claire, who’s such a wonderful woman, and she’s so happy with the movie,” she added.
In his Daily Mail interview, Michael Jr. claimed that Song Sung Blue had “completely destroyed” his late father’s legacy. Mike died at 55 after suffering a head injury in July 2006.
Michael Jr., who does not appear as a character in the drama, also claimed that he was “purposefully cut out of the film” but was paid to serve as a consultant on the biopic. He also attended the film’s New York City premiere last month.
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“I want the true story out there and I want it used with truth, with dignity, and I want retribution,” he said. “Everybody thinks it’s such a wonderful film, it’s so touching. It’s all lies. And it steals all the hard work that my father put in his entire life.”
The 41-year-old also called out Hudson and Jackman for allegedly not contacting him or acknowledging his existence while on their press run.
“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,” he claimed. “They didn’t even try to contact me . . . They didn’t try to get more information… They could have very easily asked Craig [Brewer].”