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Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson‘s latest film has shocked those close to its real-life subject.
In their new film, “Song Sung Blue,” Hudson and Jackman play real-life couple Claire “Thunder” and Mike “Lightning” Sardina, who together formed the Neil Diamond tribute band, “Lightning & Thunder.”
In a recent interview with The daily mailMike’s children, Michael Sardina Jr. and Angelina, have expressed their many problems with the film, including being paid only $30,000 to consult on the film, and Mike Jr.’s claim that he was “intentionally cut from the film”.
“Every interview with these monsters on national television doesn’t even mention my existence, even though I was the most predominant force in my father’s life, even when I wasn’t in Wisconsin, because I’m his only son,” he said of Jackman and Hudson.
Mike Sardina’s real kids call Jackman and Hudson “freaks.” (Éric Charbonneau/Focus Features via Getty Images)
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Although he was not included in the film, he participated in the 2008 documentary, “Lighting & Thunder,” which told the story of his father’s legacy. The documentary was released two years after his father died in July 2006, following a brain hemorrhage following a fall.
Text messages obtained by the Daily Mail between Mike Jr.’s sister, Angelina, and the film’s producer, John Fox, confirm that the two were paid $30,000 to consult, and also showed sympathy on Fox’s part, as he told Angelina, “I completely understand, and I’m sorry, I know it’s not the most ideal situation,” regarding their lack of input.
Angelina is included in the movieplayed by King Princess, with the Daily Mail reporting that she signed a contract in which she allowed the film to tell a fictionalized version of her story, but did not guarantee that she would be in contact with anyone from the cast, including King Princess.
Both men also had issues with the way their father was portrayed, with Mike Jr. saying that if anyone had spoken to them about their father, they would have known he “would speak in a very, very slow way.”
Jackman plays Mike “Lightning” Sardina in the film. (MEGA/GC Images)
“[My father] “I would thank God on every show, and then he would give a very brief testimony about his journey to recovery,” he recalls. “And if anyone felt alone or maybe they needed help or they needed prayer, [he would tell them]”‘You come here after the show and I’ll sit here and talk to you’.”
In addition to having no input into the story, Mike Jr. and Angelina say the film didn’t do a good job of showing the tension that existed in their home while they were growing up, with Angelina saying, “The only thing that was true was the love between my dad and Claire.”
“I mean, yeah, it’s a great story,” she said. “It’s a great story, but that’s not how it happened. And I guess that’s what’s upsetting because it’s a lie.”
While Mike Jr. and Angelina are unhappy with the final product, their mother-in-law Claire, who married Mike Sr. in Wisconsin State Fair in 1994, and his two children from a previous marriage – son Dayna and daughter Rachel – have provided him with great support.
Claire Sardina and her children posed with the stars of the film during the premiere. (John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images)
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The three happily posed with Jackman and Hudson at the Premiere in New York in early December, Carol and Rachel joining Jackman on stage to sing on separate occasions.
Mike Jr. and Angelina were also invited to the premiere, but according to Mike Jr., they were told to “stay away from stars and reporters.”
“I want the true story to be aired and I want it to be used truthfully, with dignity, and I want retaliation,” Mike Jr. said. “I want retaliation from NBCUniversal [and other parties involved]not just for me, for my father, for me and for my little sister – my father’s true descendants because they screwed us over.”
“Everyone thinks it’s such a wonderful film, so touching,” he added. “It’s all lies. And it steals all the hard work my father put in his entire life so that Claire, Rachel and Dayna could soak up a huge payday.”
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Hudson received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the film. (Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Imag)
Fox News Digital has contacted Jackman, Hudson, Brewer, Fox, NBC Universal and Focus Features for comment.
The film has earned $13.6 million at the worldwide box office so far and earned Hudson a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.
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