Hugh Jackman reveals new look as Neil Diamond impersonator in ‘Song Sung Blue’

Hugh Jackman is once again, the greatest showman.

This time, the actor, 56, is starring opposite Kate Hudson, 46, as real-life couple Mike and Claire Sardina, who formed the Neil Diamond tribute band, Lightning & Thunder, in 1989.

On Tuesday, Focus Features released the first trailer, giving a first look into Jackman’s transformation.

In one shot, the Broadway alum sports long, shaggy hair and sideburns as he’s dressed in a sparkly top, vest and jeans much like Diamond, now 84, once did.

He also performs on stage in an all black outfit with his wife on the keyboard singing behind him.

Hudson wore her hair in tight-curls as the on-screen couple sang together.

“Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams,” the film’s synopsis reads.

The trailer show’s Jackman and Hudson performing Diamond’s 1966 song “Cherry, Cherry” and “Sweet Caroline.” 

“I’m not a songwriter,” Jackman, as Mike, says in the footage. “I’m not a sex symbol. I just want to entertain people.”

“I don’t wanna be a hairdresser,” Hudson’s Claire chimes in. “I wanna sing, I wanna dance, I wanna garden, I want a cat.”

Claire later tells her husband: “You don’t want to be a Neil Diamond impersonator. You want to be a Neil Diamond interpreter.”

Jackman replies, “I was looking for the right way to say it, and you just came right out and said it.”

The movie is written and directed by Craig Brewer and based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs.

Kohs served as an executive producer on the new project with Erika Hampson.

Alongside Hudson and Jackman, “Song Sung Blue” also stars Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, and Jim Belushi.

In December, Hudson took to Instagram to share that they had wrapped filming.

“A little scroll of my final days filming and playing before holiday crunch time. What a work hubby @thehughjackman,” she captioned the carousel.

She later teased the movie via Instagram, writing in April: “Loved every second making this beautiful film, working with the most lovely work husband you could ask for, @thehughjackman, singing the iconic songs of Neil Diamond.”

“More love notes for everyone involved to come…,” the singer concluded, “but right now I am just so excited to share with you that we have a release date 💃 Song Sung Blue – only in theaters this Christmas 🎄🎁 🎵.”

Diamond released his hit single “Song Sung Blue” in 1972, and soon after it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

This project marks Jackman’s return to the big screen. In recent years, the star appeared in 2024’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” 2017’s “The Greatest Showman” and “Les Misérables” in 2012.

Jackman recently appeared on Broadway for the 2022 revival of “The Music Man,” which ran through 2023. He’d go on to star in his own one-man show, “From New York with Love.”

Jackman also made headlines for his personal life in recent months.

The actor and his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, were married for 27 years before the two announced they were divorcing in 2023.

In May, the Australian actress, 69, filed to dissolve her marriage in New York, per Daily Mail.

Furness and Jackman, who tied the knot in 1996, share kids Oscar, 25, and Ava, 19. According to an insider, “a settlement was reached that Deborra is pleased with which includes a handsome spousal support payment.”

The source added to the outlet that “there was some back and forth regarding this financial agreement but, in the end, she got what she believed she deserved. Both are coming out of this financially secure.”

The insider noted, “There is not going to be any drama with this, it gives closure that she needed. They are amicable and they are both fully committed to being the best parents that they can be.”

Jackman has since moved on with his “Music Man” co-star Sutton Foster. The “Younger” alum, 50, filed for divorce from her husband of nearly 10 years, Ted Griffin, in Oct. 2024. The exes share daughter, Emily, 7.

The following month, Furness allegedly “liked” a post from her private Instagram account of gossip blogger Tasha Lustig claiming that Jackman “blindsided” her by sharing his relationship with Foster.

The producer’s friend, British media personality Amanda de Cadenet, also weighed in, writing in the comments section, “You are on point with this one. My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment fyi!”

“Song Sung Blue” is in theaters Dec. 25.