Kate Hudson Stars in New Trailer for Sia’s Directorial Debut, Music , amid Backlash Against Film
Vertical Entertainment Kate Hudson
Sia's long-awaited directorial debut is almost here.
The latest trailer for Music, the "cinematic experience" starring Kate Hudson and Maddie Ziegler, was released on Friday, less than a month before the project is set to be released.
The clip offers new insight into Hudson's character, Zu, a recently sober drug dealer who becomes guardian of her half-sister Music, a young girl on the autism spectrum, following the death of her grandmother.
"I'm gonna help her. Just like she helps me," Hudson's character says in the trailer. "I'm actually learning how to love because I love her."
The movie also stars Leslie Odom Jr., who plays Zu's neighbor and friend who helps her with Music, as well as Ben Schwartz, Tig Notaro and Kathy Najimi.
Sia, 44, directed and co-wrote the movie, as well as a 10-song album full of original music performed by the cast for the film.
When the first trailer debuted in November, critics and autism advocacy groups expressed outrage, questioning why the Dance Moms alum — who has appeared in numerous Sia music videos and visuals over the years — was picked to play the titular role rather than an actor on the spectrum.
Vertical Entertainment Kate Hudson and Maddie Ziegler
Addressing the casting decision earlier this month in an interview with Australian talk show The Project, Sia said she couldn't do the movie without Ziegler.
"I realized it wasn't ableism — I mean, it is ableism, I guess, as well — but it's actually nepotism, because I can't do a project without her, I don't want to. I wouldn't make art if it didn't include her," said the "Chandelier" singer, who noted that Ziegler initially had concerns about portraying the role.
Vertical Entertainment Kate Hudson
"She cried on the first day of rehearsals and she was really scared. She just said, 'I don't want anyone to think I'm making fun of them,' " Sia recalled. "And I, bald-facedly, said 'I won't let that happen.' And last week, I realized I couldn't really protect her from that, which I thought I could."
When the first trailer debuted, Sia also defended the film, saying in a since-deleted tweet that she "did try" to consult actors on the spectrum, but decided that it "felt more compassionate to use Maddie. That was my call."
Music is set to debut in select IMAX theaters for a special event on Feb. 10 and will hit on-demand platforms Feb. 12.
