Few names are as closely tied to Hong Kong comedy as Stephen Chow, but the filmmaker himself is not convinced by his own acting legacy.
Speaking on a recent livestream hosted by Chinese presenter Dong Yuhui, Chow offered a rare glimpse into how he views his decades-long career while promoting his latest film, Kung Fu Soccer. The movie has already surpassed two billion yuan at the China box office and is rolling out across the region.
When asked if audiences might see him return to the screen, Chow appeared hesitant.
“I don’t really have that strong a desire to act now… Maybe I’m still waiting for the right role,” he said.
He then added in Cantonese: “I really don’t know how to act.”
The remark, delivered matter-of-factly, drew laughter during the broadcast — a reaction that reflects the contrast between Chow’s self-assessment and his reputation. Often credited with popularising the mo lei tau style of comedy, his performances in films like Fight Back To School, Flirting Scholar and Shaolin Soccer have become defining works of the genre.
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Chow, however, stood by his comments and elaborated on his approach.
“That’s honestly how I feel. I really don’t have much of a concept of acting. I don’t know what it means to get a performance exactly right. I just do things my own way, and it comes out naturally,” he explained.
Although he has not taken on an acting role since CJ7 in 2008, Chow’s influence has hardly waned. Transitioning fully into directing and producing, he has since delivered several major commercial successes, including Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons and The Mermaid.
His latest project, Kung Fu Soccer, continues that streak, even as the filmmaker himself remains unconvinced by the very skill that helped define his legacy.
