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

Exciting news for fans of the beloved video game *Sleeping Dogs*: Marvel Cinematic Universe star Simu Liu recently ignited enthusiasm when he announced on Twitter his involvement in bringing the game to the big screen. Liu, renowned for his role as Shang-Chi in *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings*, is not only producing the film but also slated to star as the protagonist, Wei Shen.

IGN has confirmed with a source close to the project that the *Sleeping Dogs* movie is indeed in development. We reached out to Square Enix for further comment on this exciting development.

Originally launched in 2012 across PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, *Sleeping Dogs* immerses players in the thrilling narrative of undercover detective Wei Shen, as he navigates the dangerous world of Hong Kong's Triad crime syndicates. Despite not meeting Square Enix's sales targets, the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase, with hopes for a sequel persisting since its release.

The journey to a *Sleeping Dogs* adaptation has been fraught with challenges. Initially announced in 2017 with martial arts star Donnie Yen set to lead, the project fizzled out within a year. Yen, speaking to Polygon, shared his deep involvement and personal investment in the project, expressing his disappointment at its cancellation after years of effort.

Simu Liu's announcement led to some confusion among fans, prompting him to clarify his ambitions further. In a subsequent statement, Liu expressed his commitment to not only bringing the *Sleeping Dogs* movie to fruition but also his dream of facilitating a sequel to the original game.

"So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight," Liu remarked. "Pitching execs who don’t understand the game has been tiring. Everyone’s overwhelming love of *Sleeping Dogs* here has really given us life! First a movie, then a sequel game for everyone… that’s always been the dream."

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IGN can reveal that Story Kitchen, a studio with a proven track record in video game adaptations, is steering the *Sleeping Dogs* live-action feature film project. Known for their work on the *Sonic the Hedgehog* films and Netflix’s animated *Tomb Raider* series, Story Kitchen is also currently developing adaptations of *Streets of Rage* and *It Takes Two* for Amazon. Additionally, they announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's *Just Cause* last year, with *Blue Beetle* director Ángel Manuel Soto attached.

While details remain sparse, IGN understands that the *Sleeping Dogs* project has a writer and a major filmmaker on board, though no release date or production start date has been disclosed yet.

This movie project signifies a remarkable revival for *Sleeping Dogs*, especially considering that its video game sequel was canceled in 2013 before entering production, and its original developer, United Front Games, closed down three years later. Now, more than a decade after its initial release, *Sleeping Dogs* might finally be poised for its cinematic wake-up call.