This week, fans of the beloved video game *Sleeping Dogs* were thrilled by a tweet from Marvel Cinematic Universe star Simu Liu, who announced he's collaborating with the rights holders to bring the game to the big screen. However, the project is further along than initially suggested. A source close to the development has confirmed to IGN that a *Sleeping Dogs* movie is indeed in the works, with Liu not only producing but also set to star as the lead character, Wei Shen. IGN has reached out to Square Enix for further comment on this exciting development.
Originally launched in 2012 across PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, *Sleeping Dogs* follows the gripping tale of undercover detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates a notorious Triad crime syndicate in Hong Kong. Despite not meeting Square Enix's sales targets, the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase, fueling hopes for a sequel ever since its release.
The journey to adapt *Sleeping Dogs* into a film has been turbulent. An initial adaptation was announced in 2017, with Donnie Yen slated to star. However, the project vanished a year later, and Yen recently confirmed to Polygon that it had been abandoned. He expressed his disappointment and dedication to the project, having invested both time and personal funds into it.
Simu Liu's announcement caused some confusion among fans, but he clarified his intentions with a follow-up statement. He expressed the challenges of pitching the project to executives who might not fully grasp the game's appeal, and reiterated his commitment to not only bringing the movie to life but also pushing for a sequel to the video 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."
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IGN can reveal that Story Kitchen, known for its work on video game adaptations such as the *Sonic the Hedgehog* films and Netflix's animated *Tomb Raider* series, is leading the *Sleeping Dogs* live-action feature film project. Square Enix holds the rights to the game, and Story Kitchen is also currently 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 of *Blue Beetle* fame.
The *Sleeping Dogs* film project reportedly has a writer and a major filmmaker attached, though no release date or start of production has been announced yet. This movie marks a significant revival for *Sleeping Dogs*, which saw its sequel canceled in late 2013 and its original developer, United Front Games, shut down in 2016. Now, more than a decade later, *Sleeping Dogs* might finally get the cinematic adaptation it deserves.
