Simu Liu to Star as Wei Shen in Sleeping Dogs Movie

This week, fans of the beloved video game *Sleeping Dogs* were thrilled when Marvel star Simu Liu announced via Twitter that he is collaborating with the rights holders to bring the game to the big screen. However, it appears 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 take on the lead role of Wei Shen. IGN has reached out to Square Enix for further comments on this exciting development.

Originally launched in 2012 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, *Sleeping Dogs* follows the gripping tale of detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates one of Hong Kong's notorious Triad crime syndicates. Despite not meeting Square Enix's sales expectations, the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase, with hopes for a sequel persisting over the years.

The journey to bring *Sleeping Dogs* to the screen has been fraught with challenges. An initial adaptation was announced in 2017, with Donnie Yen set to star, but the project vanished the following year. Yen recently confirmed to Polygon that the film had been scrapped, despite his significant personal investment and dedication to the project.

Liu's announcement created a buzz among fans, but also some confusion. He clarified his intentions in a follow-up statement, expressing his determination to see the *Sleeping Dogs* movie come to fruition and even hinted at his dream of facilitating a sequel to the original game.

“So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight,” Liu said. “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 has revealed that Story Kitchen is spearheading the *Sleeping Dogs* live-action film project, with Square Enix holding the rights. Story Kitchen has a track record of successful video game adaptations, including the Sonic the Hedgehog films and Netflix’s animated Tomb Raider series. Currently, they are also involved in adaptations of *Streets of Rage* and *It Takes Two* for Amazon.

Last year, Story Kitchen announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's *Just Cause*, with Ángel Manuel Soto, the director of *Blue Beetle*, attached to the project. For *Sleeping Dogs*, IGN understands that a writer and a major filmmaker are already involved, though no release date or start of production has been announced yet.

This movie marks a significant revival for *Sleeping Dogs*, a game whose sequel was canceled in late 2013 before production could begin, and whose original developer, United Front Games, shut down three years later. Now, over a decade since its initial release, *Sleeping Dogs* could finally be poised for the cinematic wake-up call it deserves.