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Entertainment

Bintang Shaolin Soccer Leases 18 Studio Supports Kung Fu Soccer

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung has mobilized significant support for Stephen Chow’s latest cinematic project, Kung Fu Soccer, by purchasing 18 private cinema screenings. According to reports from CNN Indonesia and The Sun, Cheung distributed free tickets to fans to boost the film’s profile, marking a high-profile endorsement that highlights the enduring professional bond between the two stars since their 1999 collaboration in King of Comedy.

The Strategic Impact of Celebrity Endorsement

By sharing her booking receipts on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, she provided immediate visibility for the film.

The Strategic Impact of Celebrity Endorsement

According to Global Times, Kung Fu Soccer secured 455 million yuan—approximately Rp1.21 trillion—within its first two days of release in China. This performance has effectively positioned the film as the biggest summer release of the year.

Did you know?
Cecilia Cheung and Stephen Chow’s professional history spans over two decades. Cheung famously appeared as a cameo in Shaolin Soccer alongside Karen Mok, playing a character capable of incredible speed on the soccer pitch.

Evolution of the Kung Fu Soccer Franchise

While the original Shaolin Soccer focused on a ragtag group of former monks forming a team, the new iteration shifts the narrative lens. Kung Fu Soccer centers on a female soccer team navigating their own journey toward success, blending martial arts choreography with sports drama. The film features a high-profile ensemble cast, including Zhang Xiaofei, Lay Zhang, and Dilraba Dilmurat, with special appearances by Carina Lau and Japanese actor Takeru Satoh.

Shaolin Soccer Spinoff “Kung Fu Soccer” From Stephen Chow Gets Global Distribution Deal

By maintaining the core “kung fu” identity established by Chow 25 years ago, the production aims to bridge the gap between legacy fans and a younger, contemporary audience.

Box Office Performance and Regional Rollout

With 455 million yuan in early revenue, the film has set a high bar for the remainder of the summer season. While Chinese audiences have already engaged with the title since its July 11 premiere, international markets are awaiting their turn.

Box Office Performance and Regional Rollout

Indonesian audiences can expect to see Kung Fu Soccer in theaters starting August 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who stars in Kung Fu Soccer? The film features Zhang Xiaofei, Lay Zhang, and Dilraba Dilmurat, with cameos from Carina Lau and Takeru Satoh.
  • Is Kung Fu Soccer a direct sequel to Shaolin Soccer? It is a spiritual successor that revives the core concept of combining martial arts with soccer, shifting the focus to a female team.
  • When will the film be released in Indonesia? The official release date for Indonesia is August 12.
  • Why did Cecilia Cheung buy out 18 cinema studios? Cheung, a long-time collaborator of Stephen Chow, purchased the screenings to support the film’s opening and provide free tickets to her fanbase.

Stay updated on the latest developments in Asian cinema by subscribing to our newsletter. Do you think legacy franchises benefit more from modern casting or returning to their original roots? Let us know in the comments below.

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Entertainment

Kung Fu Soccer Premier Release: China’s Hottest Summer Blockbuster!

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Soccer earned over 455 million yuan (approximately Rp1.21 trillion) within its first two days of release in China, according to CNN Indonesia. The film, which marks Chow’s return after a seven-year hiatus, dominated the domestic market by securing 48.2% of all national screening slots on its opening day.

Market Dominance and Box Office Figures

The film’s financial start is one of the strongest for the current summer season. On its first day alone, Kung Fu Soccer generated more than 260 million yuan, accounting for 80.3% of total daily cinema revenue in China, per data from the ticketing platform Maoyan.

Market Dominance and Box Office Figures

This surge pushed the domestic cinema market past a daily revenue mark of 300 million yuan for the first time in 136 days. Global Times reported on June 12 that the public’s enthusiasm has positioned the project as the biggest release of the summer, largely driven by a demand for Chow’s specific brand of humor during a period of few blockbuster options.

Did you know? To capitalize on the global attention surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, producers released the film in multiple languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, English, Korean, Japanese, and Thai.

The “Shaolin Soccer” Spiritual Successor

Industry observers view Kung Fu Soccer as a spiritual successor to Chow’s 2001 classic Shaolin Soccer. The plot centers on a women’s soccer team that evolves from underdogs to title contenders by blending Shaolin martial arts techniques with athletic strategy.

The production features a high-profile cast, including Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba, and Lay Zhang, with special appearances by Carina Lau and Japanese actor Takeru Satoh. This star power helped the film break a seven-year directorial drought for Chow, who last worked on The New King of Comedy in 2019.

Critical Divide: Commercial Success vs. Artistic Reception

Despite the revenue, the film’s reception is split. On the review platform Douban, the movie holds a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The divide centers on whether the film evolves the genre or simply repeats a proven formula.

Shaolin Soccer Spinoff “Kung Fu Soccer” From Stephen Chow Gets Global Distribution Deal

Points of Praise

Supporters credit Stephen Chow for breaking the conventional sports movie mold. Rather than focusing on a male protagonist, the film highlights female character growth and solidarity. Fans also praised the return of Chow’s “absurd” humor and martial arts sequences that mirror his earlier works.

Points of Criticism

Critics argue the plot is too repetitive, claiming it relies too heavily on the Shaolin Soccer blueprint. Some viewers also criticized the visual effects as outdated. This is despite reports from ThePaper.cn stating the film utilized AI-rendering, motion-capture technology, and over 1,200 visual effect shots.

Pro Tip: When analyzing box office trends in China, look at the “screen share” percentage via Maoyan. A 48.2% share indicates a massive push from distributors to maximize the film’s visibility over competing titles.

Global Release and Availability

While China has already seen the film’s impact, international audiences will follow. Kung Fu Soccer is scheduled to premiere in Indonesian theaters on August 12.

Global Release and Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Kung Fu Soccer make in its first two days?
The film earned over 455 million yuan (approx. Rp1.21 trillion) in China.

Who is the director of Kung Fu Soccer?
The film was directed by Stephen Chow, marking his return after seven years.

What is the plot of the movie?
It follows a women’s soccer team that uses Shaolin martial arts to compete for a championship.

When does it release in Indonesia?
The film is set to hit Indonesian cinemas on August 12.

What do you think about the blend of martial arts and sports in cinema? Does the “spiritual successor” approach work, or should directors move toward new formulas? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more cinema industry analysis.

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Entertainment

Takeru Satō vs. Kung Fu Soccer: Stephen Chow’s Wildest Martial Arts Match!

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Stephen Chow’s latest feature, Kung Fu Soccer, is set to debut on July 11 in China, featuring a sprawling international cast that includes Japanese actor Takeru Satoh and South Korean star Song Kang-ho.

Who is starring in Kung Fu Soccer?

The film features a mix of established international actors and professional athletes. Screen Daily reports that Takeru Satoh and Carina Lau will appear in special cameo roles. They join a cast that includes Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Lay Zhang. To ensure the authenticity of the sports sequences, Chow recruited actual athletes, including former Chinese national women’s team goalkeeper Zhao Lina and defender Li Jiayue. Additionally, Parasite actor Song Kang-ho has been cast as a guest referee, a move that producers suggest underscores the project’s international scope.

Who is starring in Kung Fu Soccer?
Did you know?

Stephen Chow’s 2004 hit Kung Fu Hustle, produced in partnership with Columbia Pictures, earned more than $100 million globally, cementing his reputation as a powerhouse in the comedy-action genre.

What is the plot of the film?

The narrative centers on the Emei Women’s Soccer Team. According to production notes, the story follows a captain, a star striker, and their mentor as they train a group of underdog players. The team’s primary objective is to overcome their status as outsiders and compete for the title at the Supreme Invincible Cup. The film’s focus on the “underdog” trope mirrors themes found in previous Chow blockbusters like CJ7 (2008) and The Mermaid (2016).

Shaolin Soccer 2 (2025) – Teaser Trailer | Stephen Chow | Concept.

When will the film be released in Indonesia?

While the film is scheduled for a July 11 release in China, international distribution is already underway. Encore Films Indonesia has confirmed that Kung Fu Soccer will be released in Indonesian theaters, though the distributor has not yet provided a specific date. Audiences in other regions can expect staggered release schedules as the film rolls out globally.

When will the film be released in Indonesia?
Pro Tip:

Follow official accounts of regional distributors like Encore Films to receive real-time notifications on local premiere dates, as theater schedules often update closer to the international release window.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Kung Fu Soccer a sequel to Shaolin Soccer?
    The provided reports do not describe the film as a direct sequel, but it shares the thematic intersection of martial arts and professional sports that characterized Chow’s earlier work.
  • Who are the main actors in the film?
    The film stars Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Lay Zhang, with special appearances by Takeru Satoh, Carina Lau, and Song Kang-ho.
  • Will the film be available in theaters?
    Yes, Encore Films Indonesia has confirmed a theatrical release for the Indonesian market.

Are you excited to see Stephen Chow’s return to the sports-comedy genre? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on international film releases.

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