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 have confirmed to IGN that a Sleeping Dogs movie is indeed in development, with Liu—known for his role as Shang-Chi—set to produce and star as Wei Shen. IGN has reached out to Square Enix for comment.
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 recently confirmed this to Polygon, stating he invested significant time, effort, and personal funds into the project before its cancellation.
Liu's tweet, therefore, generated some confusion. He later clarified his involvement, expressing his intention to not only bring the Sleeping Dogs movie to fruition but also to help develop a video game sequel. He highlighted the challenges of pitching the project to executives unfamiliar with the game's appeal, emphasizing the fan support as crucial to the project's progress. "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.”
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IGN can reveal that Story Kitchen is leading the Sleeping Dogs film adaptation, 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 involved in adapting Streets of Rage and It Takes Two. Last year, they announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, directed by Ángel Manuel Soto. While a writer and major filmmaker are attached to the Sleeping Dogs project, a release date and production start date remain unannounced.
The Sleeping Dogs movie represents a significant resurgence for the franchise, following the cancellation of a planned sequel in late 2013 and the closure of its original developer, United Front Games, three years later. Over a decade after the original game's release, Sleeping Dogs is poised for a cinematic comeback.
