Actor Simu Liu has shared a positive development regarding the movie adaptation of the crime drama video game Sleeping Dogs, stating that the project now has "a REAL path forward." Liu, known for his role in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, addressed the film's status in response to a fan on X/Twitter, confirming that it remains in active development.
Liu revealed that the production has secured a director and a production company, and is currently engaged in the dealmaking process with game publisher Square Enix. He expressed his excitement about this phase, calling it a "fan moment" due to his admiration for Square Enix. The actor also acknowledged the support from fans, stating it is "fueling us all."
The film adaptation was previously confirmed to be in development with Liu attached to produce and star as the main character, Wei Shen. This initiative began after Donnie Yen's previously announced take on the project was reportedly canceled in early 2025. Timo Tjahjanto, director of "Nobody 2" and "Killers," was later confirmed as the director for the Sleeping Dogs movie. Story Kitchen, a studio experienced in video game adaptations, is also involved. A draft of the script was completed by October 2025.
An official description from Story Kitchen outlines the film's setting in "a vibrant, contemporary, neon-infused neo-noir Hong Kong." The narrative centers on Wei Shen, an undercover cop navigating a conflict between his duty and his loyalties to the Triad family he is infiltrating. The game itself, developed by United Front Games and published by Square Enix in 2012, was praised for its open-world gameplay and story, earning an 8.5/10 in IGN's review.
While the Sleeping Dogs movie does not yet have a firm release date or window, Liu has other projects in the pipeline, including a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in "Avengers: Doomsday" and efforts to bring "Shang-Chi 2" to fruition.