The project revisits the spirit of Shaolin Soccer, but moves the story to an all-women’s side. The report says the Emei team will be portrayed as underdogs who combine martial arts with football during an unlikely run towards a championship.
Zhang Xiaofei leads the cast as the team captain, alongside Dilraba Dilmurat and Lay Zhang. Stephen Chow has written and directed the film, marking his reported return to directing after a seven-year absence. He is not expected to appear on screen.
That decision places the focus firmly on the new ensemble and on Chow’s trademark collision of slapstick comedy, impossible sporting feats and emotional underdog storytelling.
The timing could be just as important as the concept. The report says the international campaign is being positioned around the 2026 World Cup, while also recognising the 25th anniversary of Shaolin Soccer.
That gives the film two routes to attention: nostalgia for Chow’s earlier football comedy and fresh interest from audiences drawn to the world’s biggest sporting event. The mixture of football and martial arts also gives Kung Fu Soccer a visual identity that could travel well across markets.
Encore Films is reportedly handling cinemas and related international rights outside mainland China, with Maoyan Entertainment overseeing the domestic release. Further territory agreements are said to remain under negotiation.
The film was shot in 2025 and is now in post-production, with heavy visual-effects work still to complete. Its first trailer, release date and final international rollout will reveal whether the concept can turn cult nostalgia into a genuinely global event.