After months of silence, Simu Liu, the Marvel Cinematic Universe actor best known for his role in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has finally shared a promising update on the highly anticipated Sleeping Dogs movie adaptation. Fans of the cult-classic open-world game have been waiting years for any sign of progress — and now, it seems like the project is finally picking up momentum.
The adaptation of Sleeping Dogs has been in development limbo for nearly a decade, with several failed attempts to bring the Hong Kong–set action thriller to the big screen. However, Liu’s involvement has reignited hope. Since expressing his personal interest in adapting the title back in January 2025, Liu has actively worked behind the scenes to help make the film a reality. His latest update indicates that things are now “moving in a very positive direction.”
🕵️♂️ Simu Liu Confirms Script Draft for Sleeping Dogs Movie Is Finished
On October 18, Liu took to social media to confirm that the first draft of the Sleeping Dogs script has been completed. The actor described the process as “a long journey,” adding that he’s “incredibly proud of the story” the team is shaping. Fans flooded the post with excitement, sharing clips and memories from the original 2012 game that inspired the adaptation.
When one fan asked about the rights situation with Square Enix, Liu responded reassuringly, saying that the game’s publisher has been “very supportive” of the movie. He acknowledged that the biggest challenge has been convincing major film studios of the IP’s global potential — but hinted that several are now showing serious interest.
🎮 A Look Back: The Legacy of Sleeping Dogs
Originally released in 2012 for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, Sleeping Dogs was an open-world action-adventure game that followed Wei Shen, an undercover cop tasked with infiltrating the criminal underworld of Hong Kong’s Triads. The game was praised for its cinematic storytelling, gripping martial arts combat, and deep sense of cultural authenticity.
Despite strong critical reception, plans for a sequel were scrapped by Square Enix, leaving fans disappointed. Over the years, Sleeping Dogs has become something of a cult classic, with many players calling it one of the most underrated titles of its era.
🎥 A New Era for Video Game Adaptations
Liu’s version of the film is reportedly being developed in partnership with Story Kitchen, the entertainment company behind several major game-to-screen projects. Liu is also expected to star as Wei Shen, bringing both star power and martial arts credibility to the role.
This marks the second attempt at a Sleeping Dogs movie adaptation. In 2017, actor and martial artist Donnie Yen announced his own adaptation but later confirmed in early 2025 that it was canceled. Liu revealed his plans to revive the project just weeks later, reassuring fans that the spirit of Sleeping Dogs would live on — this time with a fresh approach and renewed vision.
🎬 The Future Looks Bright
With the success of recent adaptations like The Last of Us, Fallout, and Super Mario Bros., Hollywood has fully embraced video game stories as viable cinematic experiences. Liu believes Sleeping Dogs deserves the same treatment, describing it as a “visually rich and emotionally intense” story that perfectly blends action, loyalty, and betrayal.
While there’s still no confirmed release date or director attached to the project, Liu’s latest update gives fans hope that production could officially begin in 2026. If successful, Sleeping Dogs could join the growing list of critically acclaimed video game adaptations — and possibly reignite interest in the franchise itself.
