Encore Films has acquired worldwide distribution rights outside mainland China to Kung Fu Soccer, Stephen Chow’s first film as director in seven years and the long-awaited spin-off of his beloved martial-arts-meets-football hit Shaolin Soccer from 2001.

The Singapore-based distributor will handle theatrical and related rights across international markets outside the mainland, where the film will be released by Maoyan Entertainment. Release dates are still to be announced.

Chow wrote and directed Kung Fu Soccer — covered for the past two years under its announced title, Shaolin Women’s Soccer — but does not appear in it, having stepped back from acting after 2008’s CJ7. The film recasts the Shaolin Soccer premise around an all-women squad: the underdog Emei team, who integrate martial arts into their game on an improbable run at a championship. Zhang Xiaofei (Hi, Mom) leads the cast as the team’s captain, alongside Dilraba Dilmurat and Lay Zhang (Zhang Yixing).

Shot in 2025 and now in post-production — with heavy use of visual effects — the film is expected in 2026, the 25th anniversary of Shaolin Soccer. It will also hope to ride the global enthusiasm surrounding this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Chow remains one of the most internationally recognizable figures in Chinese-language cinema, with a cherished body of irreverent work that includes Shaolin Soccer, The Mermaid, CJ7 and Kung Fu Hustle, the last of which grossed more than $100 million worldwide.

“Most football films ask, ‘Can they win the match?'” said Encore managing director Joyce Lee. “A Stephen Chow film asks, ‘Can they win the match while breaking the laws of physics?'”

Encore Films, founded in 2003, has built a regional distribution business out of Singapore, with recent releases including the record-setting animation Ne Zha 2. It acquired Kung Fu Soccer from Chow’s production banner, The Star Overseas, and further territory deals are still being lined up.

A spokesperson from The Star Overseas added: “We are delighted to collaborate with Encore Films. With its extensive international distribution experience and strong network of partners worldwide, we believe Kung Fu Soccer 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.”

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