# Stephen Chow Told Japan to Stop Aping Kung Fu, Says Boss of Film Fund Behind Kore-eda Hirokazu’s ‘Look Back’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/stephen-chow-told-japan-to-stop-aping-kung-fu-says-boss-of-film-fund-behind-kore-eda-hirokazus-look-back/
- Published: 2026-11-07T04:41:35+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T05:22:56+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/markets-festivals/stephen-chow-japan-stop-aping-kung-fu-k2-pictures-1236941939/
- Topics: Art, Asia, Celebrity, Culture, Entertainment, Film, World

## Key points

- Stephen Chow urged Japan to build action films around its own martial arts.
- K2’s planned $100 million fund aims to back 50 films over seven years.
- K2 is developing a Fukushima-set drama for audiences in Japan and abroad.

## Summary

K2 Pictures founder Kii Muneyuki said director Stephen Chow urged Japanese filmmakers to draw on their own martial arts traditions, such as karate and judo, instead of copying kung fu. Kii agreed, citing the sumo drama “Sanctuary” as an example of action rooted in Japanese culture, and described K2’s approach to backing films for audiences in Japan and abroad.

K2’s first film fund closed a $33 million equity round in February, with about 30 companies investing; Kii said it could reopen if existing backers agree. Loans are expected to bring the fund’s total to $100 million, supporting a target of 50 films over seven years. K2 has completed six films this year and is developing “The Nuke Crab”, a Fukushima-set drama aiming to shoot next year and reach overseas audiences alongside Japan.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.