Simu Liu, the Marvel Cinematic Universe star, has ignited excitement among Sleeping Dogs fans by announcing his involvement in bringing the beloved video game to the silver screen. However, the project is further along than initially reported.
A source close to the production has confirmed to IGN that a Sleeping Dogs movie is indeed in development. Simu Liu, known for his role as Shang-Chi, is not only slated to star as Wei Shen but is also attached as a producer.
IGN has reached out to Square Enix for an official statement.
Initially released in 2012 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, Sleeping Dogs follows detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates a Hong Kong Triad gang. Despite failing to meet Square Enix's sales expectations, the game garnered a dedicated fanbase, fueling persistent calls for a sequel.
Liu's tweet announcing his involvement initially caused some confusion. He later clarified his intentions, expressing his desire to spearhead both a film adaptation and a potential video game sequel. He highlighted the challenges of pitching the project to executives unfamiliar with the game's appeal.
“So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight,” he 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 can reveal that Story Kitchen is spearheading the Sleeping Dogs live-action film, with Square Enix holding the rights. Story Kitchen boasts experience in video game adaptations, having worked on projects including the Sonic the Hedgehog films, Netflix's Tomb Raider animated series, and upcoming adaptations of Streets of Rage and It Takes Two. They also announced a Just Cause film adaptation last year.
While a writer and prominent filmmaker are attached to the Sleeping Dogs project, IGN understands there is no release date or production start date currently available.
This movie marks a significant resurgence for Sleeping Dogs, whose sequel was canceled in 2013, and its original developer, United Front Games, closed three years later. Over a decade later, Sleeping Dogs is poised for a major comeback.
