Stephen Chow: 'I owe the audience a lot'

The producer and screenwriter of the movie 'The Extraordinary Love Story 2' is grateful to those who support his products.

Released to audiences in China, Vietnam and some Asian countries on the occasion of Lunar New Year, Journey to the West: The Extra Story 2 achieved overwhelming box office revenue compared to other works. However, the film received mixed reviews. Many audiences said that the work was weak in terms of scriptwriting and acting.

"Before we owed Stephen Chow movie tickets, now it's Stephen Chow's turn to owe us movie tickets," a comment from an audience on a forum sparked much debate.

"We owe Stephen Chow movie tickets" is the slogan of Stephen Chow's fans every time his movies are released in theaters. The reason audiences say they owe the comedian is because many people used to watch his works for free on the Internet. Going to the theater to watch movies is considered a way to "pay back" the actor.

Stephen Chow (left) and Tsui Hark - director of "The Love Story 2".

Responding to the above opinion on Sina, Chau Tinh Tri said: "I do not agree when the audience says they owe me movie tickets. No one owes me tickets. But if you say I owe the audience, then yes, I often think like that. Every time I feel their support, I feel like I owe them a lot."

In recent years, every Lunar New Year, Stephen Chow has released a new product, in the role of director. With The Extraordinary Love Story 2, he took on the role of producer and screenwriter. Each film released reaped large revenues, among which The Mermaid (2016) became the highest-grossing film in Chinese box office history.

Scene from the movie "Love Story 2".

However, with the comedian's new films, besides the audience that supports him, many people are disappointed. Sina commented: "The exchange between 'the audience owes Stephen Chow tickets' and 'Stephen Chow owes the audience tickets' is a reminder to the comedian. The nostalgia for Stephen Chow is being eroded."

According to VNE