Stephen Chow's highly anticipated film, "Kung Fu Soccer," has secured worldwide theatrical distribution rights outside Mainland China through Singapore-based Encore Films, positioning the action-comedy to capitalize on the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The movie marks Chow's return to the martial arts and sports genre more than two decades after his iconic "Shaolin Soccer." This new feature is his first directorial effort since 2019's "The New King of Comedy."
The film centers on the Emei Women’s Football Team, which battles through the fictional “Supreme Invincible Cup” tournament by blending traditional martial arts with the sport of soccer. As stated in a tweet by Variety, "The action comedy follows the Emei Women’s Football Team as it battles through the fictional “Supreme Invincible Cup” tournament, blending martial arts with sport." The ensemble cast features prominent talents such as Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Lay Zhang Yixing in leading roles.
Chow, renowned for his unique blend of imagination, action, heart, and comedy in films like "Kung Fu Hustle" and "The Mermaid," wrote and directed "Kung Fu Soccer." However, he does not appear in the film, having stepped back from acting after 2008's "CJ7." The project, previously known under the working title "Shaolin Women’s Soccer," is conceived as a multi-language release, with dialogue spanning Mandarin, Cantonese, English, Korean, Japanese, and Thai.
Encore Films managing director Joyce Lee highlighted the film's distinctive appeal, noting, "Most football films ask, ‘Can they win the match?’ A Stephen Chow film asks, ‘Can they win the match while breaking the laws of physics?’ That’s the magic of ‘Kung Fu Soccer’." This approach promises the visual effects and fantastical elements that were a hallmark of "Shaolin Soccer," which grossed over HK$60 million at the Hong Kong box office and achieved significant international success. The film is expected to launch later this year to align with the global football fervor.
