Encore Movies has acquired worldwide distribution rights exterior mainland China to Kung Fu Soccer, Stephen Chow‘s first movie as director in seven years and the long-awaited spin-off of his beloved martial-arts-meets-football hit Shaolin Soccer from 2001.
The Singapore-based distributor will deal with theatrical and associated rights throughout international markets exterior the mainland, the place the movie will probably be launched by Maoyan Leisure. Launch dates are nonetheless to be introduced.
Chow wrote and directed Kung Fu Soccer — lined for the previous two years below its introduced title, Shaolin Girls’s Soccer — however doesn’t seem in it, having stepped again from appearing after 2008’s CJ7. The movie recasts the Shaolin Soccer premise round an all-women squad: the underdog Emei crew, who combine martial arts into their recreation on an inconceivable run at a championship. Zhang Xiaofei (Hello, Mother) leads the forged because the crew’s captain, alongside Dilraba Dilmurat and Lay Zhang (Zhang Yixing).
Shot in 2025 and now in post-production — with heavy use of visible results — the movie is anticipated in 2026, the twenty fifth anniversary of Shaolin Soccer. It’s going to additionally hope to journey the worldwide enthusiasm surrounding this yr’s FIFA World Cup.
Chow stays one of the crucial internationally recognizable figures in Chinese language-language cinema, with a cherished physique of irreverent work that features Shaolin Soccer, The Mermaid, CJ7 and Kung Fu Hustle, the final of which grossed greater than $100 million worldwide.
“Most football films ask, ‘Can they win the match?’” mentioned Encore managing director Joyce Lee. “A Stephen Chow film asks, ‘Can they win the match while breaking the laws of physics?’”
Encore Movies, based in 2003, has constructed a regional distribution enterprise out of Singapore, with current releases together with the record-setting animation Ne Zha 2. It acquired Kung Fu Soccer from Chow’s manufacturing banner, The Star Abroad, and additional territory offers are nonetheless being lined up.
A spokesperson from The Star Abroad added: “We are delighted to collaborate with Encore Films. With its extensive international distribution experience and strong network of partners worldwide, we believe Kung Fu Soccer will reach audiences across many markets. We also look forward to working with outstanding distribution partners around the world to bring this exciting film to global audiences.”
A ‘Kung Fu Soccer’ sketch by Stephen Chow.
Stephen Chow
