"Simu Liu to Star as Wei Shen in 'Sleeping Dogs' Movie"

This week, fans of the beloved video game *Sleeping Dogs* were thrilled by a tweet from Marvel Cinematic Universe star Simu Liu, who announced he's collaborating with the rights holders to bring the game to the big screen. However, the project is further along than initially suggested. A source close to the development has confirmed to IGN that a *Sleeping Dogs* movie is indeed in the works, with Liu not only producing but also set to star as the protagonist, Wei Shen. IGN has reached out to Square Enix for further comment.

Originally released in 2012 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, *Sleeping Dogs* follows the gripping tale of undercover detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates a notorious Triad crime syndicate in Hong Kong. Although it didn't meet Square Enix's sales targets, the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase, with many hoping for a sequel.

The journey to adapt *Sleeping Dogs* into a film has been turbulent. An initial adaptation was announced in 2017 with Donnie Yen slated to star, but the project vanished the following year. Yen recently confirmed to Polygon that the film had been abandoned, expressing his disappointment and the years he had invested in the project. Despite this setback, Liu's tweet reignited fan excitement, leading to further clarification from him about his ambitions not only for the movie but also for a potential video game sequel.

"So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight," Liu stated. "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."

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Who's Who in the Cast

11 Images

IGN can reveal that Story Kitchen is steering the *Sleeping Dogs* live-action feature film project, with Square Enix holding the rights. Story Kitchen has a proven track record with video game adaptations, having contributed to projects like the Sonic the Hedgehog films and Netflix's animated Tomb Raider series. They are also involved in upcoming adaptations such as *Streets of Rage* and *It Takes Two* for Amazon.

Last year, Story Kitchen announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's *Just Cause*, directed by Ángel Manuel Soto of *Blue Beetle* fame. IGN understands that the *Sleeping Dogs* project has both a writer and a prominent filmmaker attached, though details on a release date or production start are yet to be disclosed.

This movie represents a significant revival for *Sleeping Dogs*, which faced a canceled sequel in 2013 and the closure of its original developer, United Front Games, three years later. Now, more than a decade on, *Sleeping Dogs* is poised for its long-awaited cinematic debut.