Earlier this year, Simu Liu, the star of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, announced his involvement in the film adaptation of “Sleeping Dogs,” the critically acclaimed 2012 action-adventure game by United Front Games and Square Enix. After several months without updates, Liu has now confirmed a significant new milestone for the project.
In a recent social media post, Liu excitedly shared that a new draft of the “Sleeping Dogs” script has been completed. In a playful touch, he blurred out the writer’s name and included a charming photo of his own dog catching some Z’s, alongside the caption: “in honour of our sleeping dogs script draft being done, here’s my sleepy dog 👍”.
In a subsequent message, Liu praised Square Enix for their support, noting they’ve been “absolutely great.” However, he also voiced frustration with unnamed studios, stating they “don’t seem to understand how important this IP is. BUT we will get them there,” indicating a determination to see the project through.
“Sleeping Dogs” immerses players in a gritty Hong Kong setting, casting them as Wei Shen, an undercover police officer tasked with infiltrating and dismantling the Triad from within. Should the film materialize, Simu Liu is expected to take on the lead role of Shen. Interestingly, martial arts legend Donnie Yen was previously attached to star in an earlier adaptation attempt back in 2017. That version was slated for a 2022 shoot but ultimately fell apart, with Yen confirming his departure from the project in January of this year.
Following Yen’s announcement, Liu quickly confirmed his own involvement, emphasizing his passion for the franchise. He expressed a desire not only for a successful film but also for “a sequel game for everyone,” echoing a sentiment many fans share. Although a direct sequel to “Sleeping Dogs” never materialized, a spin-off titled “Triad Wars” was in development but ultimately canceled during its beta phase. Sadly, the game’s original developer, United Front Games, closed its doors in 2016.
The article concludes by mentioning an accompanying image gallery titled “49 Video Game Movies In The Works: How Many Of Them Will Actually Come Out?”, highlighting the many game-to-film adaptations currently in various stages of production.