Simu Liu, star of Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is spearheading the adaptation of the popular video game Sleeping Dogs into a feature film. While Liu's initial tweet hinted at his involvement, sources close to the project confirm he's not only producing but also set to star as Wei Shen.
This development follows the cancellation of a previous Sleeping Dogs film adaptation announced in 2017, starring Donnie Yen. Yen himself recently confirmed the project's demise after years of involvement.
Liu's subsequent statements clarified his commitment, expressing the challenges of pitching the project to executives unfamiliar with the game's appeal. He also revealed ambitions to facilitate a Sleeping Dogs video game sequel. "So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight," he stated, highlighting the significance of the project's current progress. "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.”
IGN has learned that 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. Square Enix, the rights holder, is also involved. Story Kitchen is also currently developing adaptations of Streets of Rage and It Takes Two. While a writer and director are attached, a release date and production start date remain unannounced.
The film represents a significant resurgence for the Sleeping Dogs franchise, whose sequel was cancelled in 2013, and whose original developer, United Front Games, closed three years later. Over a decade after the original game's release, Sleeping Dogs is finally poised for a cinematic comeback.
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