Marvel Cinematic Universe star Simu Liu recently ignited excitement among Sleeping Dogs fans with a tweet announcing his involvement in bringing the beloved video game to the big screen. However, the project is further along than initially revealed. Sources close to the production confirm a Sleeping Dogs movie is indeed in development, with Liu—known for his role as Shang-Chi—set to star as Wei Shen and serve as a producer.
IGN has reached out to Square Enix for comment.
Originally released in 2012 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, Sleeping Dogs follows Detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates a Hong Kong Triad. Despite not meeting Square Enix's sales expectations, the game garnered a dedicated fanbase, fueling persistent calls for a sequel.
A previous adaptation, announced in 2017 with Donnie Yen attached, was ultimately scrapped a year later. Yen himself recently confirmed the project's cancellation, citing years of invested time, effort, and personal funds.
“I spent a lot of time and did a lot of work with these producers, and I even invested some of my own money into obtaining the drafts and some of the rights," Yen told Polygon. "I waited for years. Years. And I really want to do it. I have all these visions in my head, and unfortunately… I don’t know, you know how Hollywood goes, right? I spent many, many years on it. It was an unfortunate thing. Well, on to better things.”
Liu's tweet, therefore, caused some initial confusion. He later clarified his intentions, expressing a desire to help develop both a film and a potential Sleeping Dogs sequel game.
“So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight,” he said. “Pitching execs who don’t understand the game has been tiring. Everyone’s overwhelming love of Sleeping Dogs here has really given us life! First a movie, then a sequel game for everyone… that’s always been the dream.”
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Who's Who in the Cast
11 Images
IGN can reveal that Story Kitchen is spearheading the Sleeping Dogs live-action film, with Square Enix holding the rights. Story Kitchen has a proven track record in video game adaptations, having worked on projects ranging from the Sonic the Hedgehog films to Netflix's animated Tomb Raider series. They are also currently developing adaptations of Streets of Rage and It Takes Two.
Story Kitchen previously announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, with Blue Beetle director Ángel Manuel Soto on board. While a writer and significant filmmaker are attached to the Sleeping Dogs project, a release date and production start date remain unannounced.
This movie represents a significant resurgence for Sleeping Dogs, whose sequel was canceled in late 2013, and its original developer, United Front Games, closed three years later. Over a decade later, Sleeping Dogs is poised for a major comeback.
