Stephen Chow's final acting role was a sci-fi comedy inspired by space missions

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Released in 2008, CJ7 marked the end of Stephen Chow's career as an actor before he transitioned to full-time filmmaking. The film, which blends extraterrestrial wonder with the struggles of a poor construction worker and his son, draws its title from China's ambitious Shenzhou crewed space program.

The film follows Chow Ti, a struggling laborer in Ningbo, China, who lives in a dilapidated home with his nine-year-old son, Dicky. Their lives change when Ti discovers a mysterious green orb in a junkyard. This object transforms into a cuddly, dog-like alien creature that Dicky names CJ7. While Dicky initially hopes the alien will grant him academic success and popularity, the creature’s antics—such as defecating on him—initially cause more embarrassment than triumph.

The narrative takes a darker turn when Ti dies following a workplace accident. In a moment of profound sacrifice, CJ7 exhausts its restorative powers to revive him, ultimately turning into a lifeless doll. The film concludes on a hopeful note, however, as a UFO descends and a group of alien dogs, led by a creature identical to the original CJ7, arrives to reunite with the boy. The production was notable for its heavy use of computer-generated effects and the casting of Xu Jiao, a young girl who cross-dressed to play the role of Dicky.

Beyond its plot, CJ7 is a tapestry of cultural and cinematic references. Its title and the working title 'A Hope' nod to the Shenzhou space missions, specifically Shenzhou 5, 6, and 7. Chow also embedded homages to his own filmography, including nods to Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle, while citing E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and the manga Doraemon as primary influences. Despite this, the film received mixed critical reception, with some reviewers finding the plot slack compared to Chow's earlier successes.

The film's legacy includes a 2010 animated retelling, CJ7: The Cartoon. While it failed to reach the critical heights of Chow's previous hits, which often boasted 90% positive ratings on aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes, it remains a significant entry in his transition from a beloved screen presence to a director. It stands as a curious, sentimental experiment that attempted to marry the director's signature slapstick style with a poignant, family-oriented science fiction premise.

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