The Tricky Master 千王之王2000 (1999): The Time Stephen Chow Refused the Role Three Times, Wong Jing Fired One Gambler, and Nick Cheung Accidentally Became a Star — Featuring a Stephen Chow Cameo That Stole the Whole Movie
The Film That Wasn't Supposed to Happen
Here's a story: Stephen Chow was offered the lead role in 千王之王2000. He turned it down. He was offered it again. He turned it down again. He was offered it a third time. He turned it down again.
Wong Jing was desperate. He needed a star. He needed someone to sell tickets. He offered Stephen Chow a massive cameo instead — a few days of shooting, a few scenes, and a lot of money.
Stephen Chow agreed.
And then he proceeded to rewrite his scenes, dominate the film, and upstage every other actor in the movie. He appears in only about 15 minutes of the film. But his 15 minutes are so good that you forget everyone else exists.
What Is It About?
The plot is classic Wong Jing.
Leung Foon (Nick Cheung) is a small-time gambler who wants to become the best. He's trained by a mysterious master known only as "The Tricky Master." He enters a high-stakes tournament against a villain who will stop at nothing to win.
He meets a woman, Wong Siu-bo (Sandra Ng). He meets a villain, Ma Gaau-man (Jack Kao). He meets a mysterious gambler, Daai Lung (Stephen Chow), who helps him when he needs it most.
It's a mess. It's a joy. It's pure Wong Jing.
The Cast That Made It Work
Nick Cheung as Leung Foon — the gambler who wants to be the best. It's his breakout role.
Stephen Chow as Daai Lung — the mysterious gambler who appears when you least expect him. He's only in 15 minutes of the film, but he steals every scene.
Sandra Ng as Wong Siu-bo — the woman who helps Leung Foon. She's funny, tough, and the heart of the film.
Jack Kao as Ma Gaau-man — the gambling kingpin. He's powerful, ruthless, and completely out of Leung Foon's league.
Wong Jing as himself — appears in a cameo. Of course he does.
The Legacy
千王之王2000 is the film that ended the gambling comedy genre. It was the last major gambling blockbuster of the 1990s. After this, the genre went into decline.
But it's also a film that features one of Stephen Chow's most memorable cameos. His performance is so good that it makes you wonder what the film would have been like if he had accepted the lead.
Final Thought
千王之王2000 is a film about a man who wants to be the best, a master who refuses to teach him, and a woman who helps him anyway.
And it's a film that proves that even a cameo can be legendary.
Movie video in Cantonese with Chinese subtitles
Have you seen 千王之王2000? Do you think Stephen Chow should have taken the lead role? Let me know in the comments.
Tom De · The Movie Prince 🎬
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