Encore Films has secured worldwide distribution rights for Kung Fu Soccer, a spin‑off of Stephen Chow’s 2001 cult classic Shaolin Soccer, outside of mainland China. The agreement was negotiated from Chow’s production banner, The Star Overseas, and marks a significant expansion for the Singapore‑based distributor.
Directed by Chow himself, the upcoming feature imagines an all‑women team that fuses martial arts with football, turning the pitch into a arena of kicks, strikes and strategy. Zhang Xiaofei leads the cast as the team’s captain, while Dilraba Dilmurat, Lay Zhang and Joyce Lee round out the lineup.
A milestone for a cult classic
Although Chow directed the project, he does not appear on screen, allowing the story to focus on the new generation of talent. The film is slated for a 2026 release, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Shaolin Soccer and the global excitement surrounding this year’s FIFA World Cup, a timing the producers hope will amplify its international appeal.
The partnership between Encore Films and The Star Overseas underscores a growing trend of cross‑border collaborations in Chinese‑language cinema, blending nostalgic IP with fresh storytelling. As the film prepares to enter the market, it promises to ride the wave of heightened interest in sports‑infused narratives.