Development on the live-action film adaptation of the cult-classic action game Sleeping Dogs is proceeding at a measured pace, according to director Timo Tjahjanto. While fans have been eager for updates since actor Simu Liu began teasing new developments last year and Tjahjanto was announced as director, the project has seen little public movement.
Tjahjanto explained on X/Twitter that the deliberate slowness is intentional. "Trust me when I say Simu and I are doing our best to slowly make this come into fruition," he wrote. "Trying to stay as loyal to Wei Shen's tale while adding layers to make the narrative more fitting into a feature film is not an easy task. We're taking our time to make the best version of [Sleeping Dogs] the movie."
The 2012 game, which followed undercover cop Wei Shen infiltrating a Hong Kong triad amid a gangland civil war, is known for its compelling narrative inspired by Hong Kong action cinema. Tjahjanto's mention of adding layers suggests a desire to enrich the existing story for a cinematic medium, though he humorously noted the complexity might extend to incorporating elements from the game's DLC, which featured an undead army and magical tea.
Sleeping Dogs is not unique in its extended development cycle; numerous video game adaptations are currently in various stages of production. Notably, Chad Stahelski has been attached to direct a Ghost of Tsushima movie for several years, with a script reportedly ready as of 2023. However, Stahelski's current commitments, including the new Highlander film, mean Jin Sakai's live-action debut may still be some time away, although an anime adaptation is slated for release in 2028.