This week, Marvel Cinematic Universe star Simu Liu has sparked excitement among fans of the beloved video game Sleeping Dogs. Liu took to Twitter to announce that he is collaborating with the rights holders to bring this cherished game to the silver screen. However, it seems the project is further along than initially suggested. A source close to the production has revealed to IGN that a Sleeping Dogs movie is indeed in development, with Liu not only producing but also set to star as the protagonist, Wei Shen. IGN has reached out to Square Enix for their official statement on the matter.
Originally released in 2012 across PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, Sleeping Dogs follows the gripping narrative of undercover detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates Hong Kong's notorious Triad crime syndicates. Although the game did not meet the high sales targets set by publisher Square Enix, it has cultivated a dedicated fan base, fueling hopes for a sequel ever since.
The journey to bring Sleeping Dogs to the big screen has been fraught with challenges. An initial adaptation was announced in 2017 with Donnie Yen slated to star, but the project fizzled out the following year. Yen recently confirmed to Polygon that the film had been abandoned, expressing his disappointment after years of dedication and personal investment in the project.
Liu's tweet, therefore, created a buzz and some confusion among fans. He later clarified his intentions, expressing enthusiasm for both a film adaptation and a sequel game, highlighting the challenges of pitching to executives unfamiliar with the game's appeal. "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."
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IGN has learned that Story Kitchen, a studio with a robust track record in video game adaptations, is spearheading the Sleeping Dogs live-action feature film. Their portfolio includes projects like the Sonic the Hedgehog films and Netflix's animated Tomb Raider series. Currently, Story Kitchen is also working on adaptations of Streets of Rage and It Takes Two for Amazon. Last year, they announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, known for Blue Beetle.
The Sleeping Dogs project reportedly has both a writer and a major filmmaker attached, though specific details remain under wraps. No release date has been set, nor has there been any word on when production will commence. This movie represents a significant revival for Sleeping Dogs, a franchise that saw its sequel canceled in late 2013 and its original developer, United Front Games, shut down in 2016. Now, over a decade later, Sleeping Dogs might finally be poised for its long-awaited cinematic debut.
