„Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Football' continues its triumph at the Chinese box office
The new comedy „Kung Fu Football“ on Stephen Chow consolidated its leading position in Chinese cinemas in its second weekend. The film added more $73.7 million (501.1 million yuan) to its revenue between July 17 and 19, bringing its total box office to $214.3 million (1.46 billion yuan) just nine days after its premiere.
In a market where most films lose a significant portion of their audience in their second weekend, „"Kung Fu Football"“ managed to even slightly improve on his debut result. After crossing the line from 1 billion yuan in the first week, the movie platform Maoyan raised its final revenue forecast to 3 billion yuan (about 441 million dollars), instead of the initially expected 2.5 billion.
If the predictions come true, the film will come close to the personal record of Stephen Chow, placed in 2016 with „"The Mermaid"“, which gathered over 500 million dollars at the global box office.
The 64-year-old Stephen Chow is a screenwriter and director of „"Kung Fu Football"“, but unlike his earlier productions, he does not appear in front of the camera. This is his first directorial film since „"The New King of Comedy"“ (2019), and he retired from acting after „"CJ7"“ in 2008.
The tape was created on the occasion The 25th anniversary of the cult „Shaolin Football“ and took advantage of the interest surrounding this year's World Cup. Instead of the original plot, the new story follows an underdog women's soccer team whose players use martial arts to compete for the title in a fictional tournament. Supreme Invincible Cup.
The main role is entrusted to Zhang Xiaofei, known from „"Hi, Mom"“, and next to her stand Dilraba Dilmurat as the star striker and Lei Zhang as a kung fu trainer. The film also stars Hong Kong legend Karina Lau, the Japanese actor Takeru Sato and the American comedian Jimmy O. Young.
One of the most interesting features about the premiere is that Stephen Chow He almost completely forgoes the traditional advertising campaign. He announced the release date with a short video on social media to celebrate his birthday in late June, and the film hit theaters less than three weeks later.
A North American release is also planned for later this year, although an official date has not yet been announced. International rights outside of mainland China have been acquired by Encore Films, which is already preparing the distribution of the film in various markets.
The most serious competitor of „"Kung Fu Football"“ the second weekend turned out to be the animation „"All Wishes Come True"“ on Pearl Studio. The new film, directed by Mu Zhenyan, starts with $30.6 million for two days and a total $39.6 million, including preview screenings. The story is inspired by the Chinese legend of The Eight Immortals, following a group of ordinary people who outsmart the gods to earn their place among legendary heroes.
In third place, the drama debuted „"A Part of Me"“ с Zhang Zhuonan and Jin Jin, which implements $13.6 million. Following „Minions and monsters“ с 3.7 million dollars on its third weekend and a total $40.3 million about China, as well as the cult thriller „Triangle“ on Christopher Smith с Melissa George, which 17 years after its original premiere finally hit Chinese theaters and launched with 3.7 million dollars.
Since the beginning of the year, the Chinese box office has accumulated $2.97 billion, which is with 35.3% less compared to the same period last year. However, the difference is gradually decreasing, and the success of „"Kung Fu Football"“ breathes new life into the summer movie season.
The horror film debuts in China this Friday „Obsession“ on Curry Barker, who has already won over 400 million dollars Its release will show whether a new generation of young directors can rekindle Chinese audiences' interest in Hollywood productions.
