Simu Liu, star of Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is spearheading a film adaptation of the popular video game Sleeping Dogs, according to sources close to the project. Liu is set to produce and star as Wei Shen, the undercover detective at the heart of the game's story.
This development follows Liu's recent tweet expressing his involvement with the rights holders. The project is actively in development, a significant step forward from a previous, now-canceled adaptation attempt announced in 2017 that featured Donnie Yen. Yen himself recently confirmed the project's demise, citing years of work and investment ultimately proving unsuccessful.
Liu's subsequent comments clarified his ambition, extending beyond the film to include a potential Sleeping Dogs video game sequel. He highlighted the challenges of securing a greenlight for such projects, emphasizing the positive impact of fan support.
"So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight," Liu stated. "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.”
Story Kitchen, a production company with experience in video game adaptations (including the Sonic the Hedgehog films and Netflix's Tomb Raider series), is leading the Sleeping Dogs film project. Square Enix, the rights holder, is also involved. While a writer and major filmmaker are attached, a release date and production start date remain unannounced.
This film represents a significant resurgence for Sleeping Dogs, a title whose sequel was canceled in 2013 and whose original developer, United Front Games, subsequently closed. Over a decade later, this beloved game is finally poised for a cinematic comeback.
