Kate Hudson couldn’t help but gush about her Song Sung Blue co-star Hugh Jackman as the duo premiered their new film at AFI Fest on Sunday night. The movie, based on a true story, follows two struggling performers who start a Neil Diamond tribute act, and according to those who worked on it, the chemistry between the leads is undeniable.
Hudson, who shares several musical scenes with Jackman, described her experience working alongside him as something truly special. “He’s got this very youthful spirit and this generosity that just fills up the room,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s hard not to feel magic with Hugh—he’s a magical, sparkly man. Honestly, it’s hard not to fall in love with him.”
Before cameras rolled, the pair spent long hours in the studio perfecting their musical connection. Hudson recalled that those sessions were crucial to building their on-screen relationship. “We were finding the vibe together,” she said. “Recording for live performance is completely different — it’s about the little imperfections. Spending hours singing together really helped us build that intimacy before we even got to set.”
Writer-director Craig Brewer vividly remembers the first time Hudson and Jackman sang in harmony. “It was one of those moments where you could just feel the magic in the room,” he said. “When we finally started filming, the whole crew kept saying, ‘This is exactly what we wanted—we just didn’t know it until now.’ Their chemistry was contagious; everyone wanted to watch them work.”
With Song Sung Blue, Brewer brings to life a tender story about resilience, music, and love, and Hudson and Jackman’s connection, both musical and emotional, seems to be at the heart of it all. The film is slated to open in theatres on December 25.
