Simu Liu Works on Film Adaptation of Sleeping Dogs

The film adaptation of the popular video game Sleeping Dogs, which was officially canceled earlier this month, may have a new lease on life thanks to Marvel star Simu Liu. According to a report by Newsweek, Liu responded to a fan's request on X/Twitter for a movie version of the 2012 game, stating that he is actively working to revive the project. "Working with the rights holders to bring Sleeping Dogs to the big screen," Liu shared, igniting hope among fans of the acclaimed action game.

Originally announced in 2017, the film was set to feature Donnie Yen in the lead role. However, the project vanished from the radar just a year later and was recently confirmed to be canceled by Yen himself. In a candid statement, Yen expressed his disappointment and the significant effort he had put into the project, including personal financial investment. "I spent a lot of time and did a lot of work with these producers, and I even invested some of my own money into obtaining the drafts and some of the rights," Yen lamented. "I waited for years. And I really wanted to do it. And unfortunately... I don't know. You know how Hollywood goes, right?"

The prospect of continuing the Sleeping Dogs franchise, set in the vibrant backdrop of Hong Kong, seemed bleak until Liu's unexpected response on social media. It remains uncertain whether Liu will successfully secure the rights or manage to get the film off the ground, but his involvement has certainly reignited interest and hope.

Sleeping Dogs was initially released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, following the story of undercover detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates one of Hong Kong's notorious Triad crime syndicates. The game was critically acclaimed, scoring an 8/10 from IGN, yet it never received a sequel. Fans of the game are now eagerly watching to see if Liu's efforts will bring the gripping narrative to the silver screen.