The Sleeping Dogs Movie IS in Development and We’re Hearing Shang-Chi Star Simu Liu Is Set to Play Wei Shen

Simu Liu, the 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. Contrary to initial reports, the project is actively in development, with Liu confirmed as producer and lead actor, portraying Wei Shen.

A source close to the production confirmed this to IGN, dispelling rumors surrounding a previous, abandoned adaptation attempt. This earlier attempt, announced in 2017 and featuring Donnie Yen, ultimately fell through. Yen himself recently confirmed its cancellation to Polygon, citing years of work and investment that unfortunately didn't result in a film.

Liu's involvement, initially hinted at via a tweet, has generated significant excitement among fans. He subsequently clarified his intentions, expressing a desire to not only produce the film but also contribute to a potential Sleeping Dogs sequel game. He acknowledged the challenges of moving a project from pitch to production, highlighting the importance of securing executives who understand the source material.

Story Kitchen, known for its work on various video game adaptations including the Sonic the Hedgehog films and Netflix's Tomb Raider series, is leading the Sleeping Dogs film project. Square Enix, the rights holder, is also involved. Story Kitchen's current projects include 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 Sleeping Dogs film represents a significant resurgence for the franchise. A planned sequel game was canceled in 2013, and the original developer, United Front Games, closed three years later. Over a decade after the original game's release, Sleeping Dogs is poised for a cinematic comeback.