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Chow's 'Kung Fu Soccer' Unleashes Martial Arts Magic!
23 Jun
Summary
- Stephen Chow directs first film in seven years, a Shaolin Soccer spin-off.
- An all-women Emei team integrates martial arts for a championship run.
- Film expected in 2026, marking 25th anniversary of original Shaolin Soccer.
Stephen Chow, a celebrated filmmaker, is set to release "Kung Fu Soccer," his first directorial project in seven years. This film serves as a spin-off to his iconic 2001 martial arts and football fusion, "Shaolin Soccer." The new movie reimagines the premise with an all-female squad, the Emei team, who incorporate martial arts into their play as they improbably compete for a championship.
The film, which began shooting in 2025 and is currently in post-production with extensive visual effects, is anticipated to launch in 2026. This release year holds significance as it marks the 25th anniversary of the original "Shaolin Soccer." Additionally, "Kung Fu Soccer" hopes to benefit from the global fervor surrounding football, possibly capitalizing on the energy from the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
"Kung Fu Soccer" stars Zhang Xiaofei as the team's captain, supported by Dilraba Dilmurat and Lay Zhang. Although Chow wrote and directed, he does not appear in the film, having stepped back from acting after 2008's "CJ7." Encore Films has secured worldwide distribution rights outside mainland China, with Maoyan Entertainment handling the release within China. Specific release dates are yet to be announced.
