{"id":2762,"date":"2026-06-23T11:36:52","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T11:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=2762"},"modified":"2026-06-23T11:36:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T11:36:52","slug":"stephen-chow-makes-his-return-to-the-sport-with-kung-fu-soccer-closing-international-rights-deal-more-than-two-decades-after-shaolin-soccer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=2762","title":{"rendered":"Stephen Chow Makes His Return to the Sport With \u2018Kung Fu Soccer,\u2019 Closing International Rights Deal More Than Two Decades After \u2018Shaolin Soccer\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tSingapore-based Encore Films has secured worldwide theatrical distribution and related rights outside Mainland China for \u201cKung Fu Soccer,\u201d the new feature from filmmaker Stephen Chow. <\/p>\n

Read more Variety Teams With Edinburgh Film Festival to Launch Variety Lounge at 2026 Edition<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tThe action comedy \u2013 a China-Hong Kong co-production \u2013 follows the Emei Women\u2019s Football Team as it battles through the fictional \u201cSupreme Invincible Cup\u201d tournament, blending martial arts with sport. The ensemble cast is led by Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat and Lay Zhang Yixing. <\/p>\n

\n\tIn Mainland China, the film will be distributed by Maoyan Entertainment. Encore Films will oversee all other territories, continuing its expansion into large-scale Chinese commercial releases following its international rollout of the record-breaking animated blockbuster \u201cNe Zha 2.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cDirector Stephen Chow is widely regarded as the \u2018King of Comedy\u2019 and one of the rare filmmakers whose work has entertained audiences across cultures for decades,\u201d said Joyce Lee, managing director of Encore Films. \u201cMost football films ask, \u2018Can they win the match?\u2019 A Stephen Chow film asks, \u2018Can they win the match while breaking the laws of physics?\u2019 That\u2019s the magic of \u2018Kung Fu Soccer\u2019 \u2013 a film that blends imagination, action, heart, and comedy in a way only Chow can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more German Actor Jonathan Berlin Sets Directorial Feature Debut \u2018Mio\u2019 With Taddeo Kufus, Barbara Auer and Godehard Giese to Star (EXCLUSIVE)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWith its extensive international distribution experience and strong network of partners worldwide, we believe \u2018Kung Fu Soccer\u2019 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,\u201d a spokesperson for The Star Overseas Limited added.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cKung Fu Soccer\u201d marks Chow\u2019s return to the soccer-and-martial-arts genre more than two decades after \u201cShaolin Soccer.\u201d It is also his first feature as director since 2019\u2019s \u201cThe New King of Comedy.\u201d The film is conceived as a multi-language release, with dialogue in Mandarin, Cantonese, English, Korean, Japanese and Thai. The film has been positioned to capitalize on excitement around the 2026 FIFA soccer World Cup, with the release date still to be confirmed. Chow\u2019s previous films include \u201cKung Fu Hustle,\u201d which grossed over $100 million worldwide, along with \u201cCJ7\u201d and \u201cThe Mermaid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tEncore Films is currently in discussions with distribution partners across international markets, with further territorial announcements expected.<\/p>\n

Read more Dustin Hoffman, Juliette Binoche, Jeffrey Wright to Be Honored at Karlovy Vary Film Festival<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Encore Films acquires international rights outside China to Stephen Chow’s ‘Kung Fu Soccer,’ starring Zhang Xiaofei and Dilraba Dilmurat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[2359,2360,2361],"class_list":["post-2762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-film","tag-kung-fu-soccer","tag-shaolin-soccer","tag-stephen-chow"],"yoast_head":"\nStephen Chow Makes His Return to the Sport With \u2018Kung Fu Soccer,\u2019 Closing International Rights Deal More Than Two Decades After \u2018Shaolin Soccer\u2019 - Relocation Observer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=2762\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Stephen Chow Makes His Return to the Sport With \u2018Kung Fu Soccer,\u2019 Closing International Rights Deal More Than Two Decades After \u2018Shaolin Soccer\u2019 - 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