Actor Jack Neo’s Liang Po Po character returning to cinemas after 27 years in new CNY movie
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Jack Neo is starring in the upcoming movie Liang Po Po: The Comeback.
PHOTOS: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS, JACKNEOCK/FACEBOOK
SINGAPORE – The iconic granny character Liang Po Po will be back on the big screen after 27 years.
Local actor-director Jack Neo announced on social media on Dec 3 that he will be reprising the role in the upcoming movie Liang Po Po: The Comeback, slated for release during Chinese New Year in 2026.
It will feature the titular handbag-clutching, feet-shuffling elderly woman with her trademark “hoo-hoo-hoo” catchphrase, who first appeared on Channel 8 sketch show Comedy Nite (1990 to 2000), portrayed by Neo.
“Hoo-hoo-hoo, okay, I’ve kept it a secret for so long because I wanted to give all of you a surprise,” Neo, 65, wrote on Facebook in the persona of Liang, sharing a poster for the film. “Hoo-hoo-hoo, old friends and long-time fans, I’m back to meet all of you again after 24 years.”
The caption on Neo’s Instagram was: “Breaking news. Liang Po Po is back to cause chaos. She’s either going to drive you crazy or make you die laughing.”
Liang’s last big-screen appearance was in Liang Po Po: The Movie (1999), which earned $3.03 million at the local box office. It was the third highest-grossing movie in Singapore in 1999 after Hollywood films Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and The Mummy.
Liang Po Po: The Movie, written by Neo and directed by Teng Bee Lian, also starred Singapore’s Mark Lee, Henry Thia, Patricia Mok and the late John Cheng. The international cast included Malaysia’s Ah Niu as well as Hong Kong’s Eric Tsang and Sheren Tang.
Channel 8 variety show The Return Of Liang Po Po aired in 2001.
(From left) Mark Lee, Jack Neo and the late John Cheng starred in Liang Po Po: The Movie (1999).
PHOTO: ST FILE
According to sources quoted by Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao, Liang Po Po: The Comeback will be directed by Malaysian film-maker Matt Lai. The 40-year-old’s film credits include the Chinese New Year movies What! The Heist (2023), All In (2024) and Money Games (2025).
Malaysia’s Golden Screen Cinemas and TGV Cinemas also shared Liang Po Po: The Comeback’s poster on their social media accounts on Dec 3, indicating that the film will also be released in Malaysia.
