SUBMITTED BY LClem

May 23, 2003 — As it stands now, however, Shaolin Soccer is known in the West only by fans of Hong Kong cinema who can track down the imported DVD with its atrocious (but often hilarious) subtitles. Its theatrical fate remains uncertain, as the U.S. rights have been bought by Miramax, a company notorious for re-editing and dubbing classic Asian action films, and for losing faith at the last minute and dumping them (in mutilated form) direct to video. Miramax was originally supposed to release Shaolin Soccer last fall, then it was pushed to April, and now it's scheduled for 8 August 2003. During this time, its title was changed to Kung-Fu Soccer, then back again, and a rap soundtrack, replete with Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting," was added, then (allegedly) removed. The decision to restore the film's original title and score was taken, apparently, in response to online petitions from fans. But no change -- announced or rumored - is certain. (More to read at the link)