Hong Kong artist Lawrence Tan (also known as Tan Ji) recently revealed that Stephen Chow (also known as Chow Sing Chi) personally hosted a gathering and invited the cast and crew of “Shaolin Soccer.” He took the initiative to inquire about the livelihood of his former brothers, helped to connect them with job opportunities, which moved Tan deeply.
The core cast of “Shaolin Soccer” consists of the six Shaolin brothers and several indispensable supporting actors from Stephen Chow’s films. The six Shaolin brothers each possess unique skills, with Stephen Chow playing the role of “Brother Five” as Sing, known for his “Mighty Steel Leg” technique and also the director of the film. Brother One, played by Ng Man Tat, portrayed as Coach Ming Feng (the Golden Right Leg), served as the spiritual mentor of the entire Shaolin Soccer team. The late Xie Xian, who played the villainous coach Qiang Xiong, passed away recently.
According to a report by Hong Kong 01, Tan Ji mentioned in a recent interview that the reunion of the “Shaolin Soccer” team touched him deeply. They had long planned to get together, and this year coincided with the 25th anniversary of the film. It was also Brother One Ng Man Tat’s 84th birthday followed by Brother Four Chen Guokun’s birthday the next day, providing the perfect opportunity for the former collaborators to reunite. Although Stephen Chow was invited, he couldn’t make it as he was busy promoting his new film “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer.”
However, within two days, Stephen Chow took the initiative to organize a dinner gathering, covering all the expenses himself. Tan Ji revealed that during the meal, Stephen showed genuine concern for their well-being, asking about their job situations and health. He offered to help them find work opportunities and make a living. When asked if this was just a passing remark, Tan Ji firmly responded, “He will definitely do it. His sentimentality is really rare and precious.” However, Tan Ji also jokingly advised against taking advantage of Stephen’s kindness by asking for a large sum of money directly.
Tan Ji expressed his admiration for Stephen Chow, who, despite being busy, initiated the reunion, perhaps influenced by the passing of their colleague Ng Man Tat. Tan Ji said, “I think he has ‘woken up,’ realizing that while everyone is healthy and together, it’s important to gather more often and not wait until someone is missing.”
Regarding speculations about a potential new collaboration arising from this reunion, Tan Ji made it clear that there will not be a “Shaolin Soccer 2” or “Shaolin Soccer 3” in the future. However, Stephen Chow is indeed rallying the old team, and fans can look forward to their collaboration in a new form.
Taking this opportunity, Tan Ji clarified once again that there are no existing rumors of discord or grudges between him and Stephen Chow. They have always maintained a close friendship and communication.
Stephen Chow and Tan Ji are well-known golden partners and close friends in the Hong Kong film industry. Tan Ji followed Stephen Chow for 13 years, contributing memorable on-screen characters like “Brother Three” in “Shaolin Soccer” and serving as the head of Stephen Chow’s Stardom Overseas Limited, being his trusted assistant and manager behind the scenes.
After departing from Stardom, Tan Ji has reached a career peak in 2026. He won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the film “Double Happiness” at the 28th Taipei Film Awards, marking his first acting award in his 47-year career. At the “Brightest Hong Kong Star Awards Ceremony” held on August 29, 2026 in South Korea, Tan Ji was honored with the “Most Vibrant Character Actor Award.”