Kate Hudson Goes for Lead Actress Oscar Campaign in Song Sung Blue

Kate Hudson has her sights on the Oscars.

Variety has confirmed exclusively that the star will campaign in the lead actress category for her upcoming performance in Craig Brewer’s biographical music drama “Song Sung Blue,” marking a potential return to the Oscars 25 years after her breakthrough role in “Almost Famous” (2000).

The news positions Hudson as part of Focus Features’ formidable awards season slate, which already includes Jessie Buckley for the emotional drama “Hamnet” and Emma Stone for the black-comedy “Bugonia.” If all three earn nominations, Focus could become one of the rare studios to land multiple best actress nods for performances across different films, a feat not seen since Salma Hayek (“Frida”), Renée Zellweger (“Chicago”) and eventual winner Nicole Kidman (“The Hours”) all landed noms for Miramax for its 2002 films.

“Song Sung Blue,” set for its world premiere at the AFI Film Festival on Oct. 26 before its Christmas release, tells the true story of a financially struggling couple who find unexpected fulfillment and romance performing as a Neil Diamond tribute band. Hudson stars opposite Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman (“Les Misérables”), with a supporting cast including Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi and Ella Anderson. Directed, written and co-produced by Brewer (“Hustle & Flow”), the film is inspired by the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs.

Hudson’s campaign marks a potential return to the Oscars 25 years after her supporting actress nom for playing Penny Lane in Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous,” which also won her the Golden Globe. If nominated, Hudson would join a rare group of actors with one of the longest gaps between Oscar noms. Her 25-year span would place her behind the likes of Julie Christie (26 years), Sally Field (28 years), Angela Bassett and Jodie Foster (28 years), Lynn Redgrave (32 years) and Helen Hayes (39 years)….