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 on Twitter that he's 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 reliable source close to the development told 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 comment on this exciting development.

Sleeping Dogs, originally released in 2012 across PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC platforms, immerses players in the gripping tale of undercover detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates a notorious Triad crime syndicate in Hong Kong. Despite not meeting Square Enix's sales targets, the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase, fueling hopes for a sequel ever since.

The journey to the big screen for Sleeping Dogs hasn't been smooth. Initially announced in 2017 with Donnie Yen slated to star, the project mysteriously vanished a year later. Just weeks ago, Yen confirmed to Polygon that the film had been abandoned. He expressed his deep involvement and personal investment in the project, lamenting the years spent waiting for it to materialize.

Liu's tweet sparked confusion and excitement among fans. He later clarified his intentions, not only to bring Sleeping Dogs to cinemas but also to revive hopes for a sequel game. "So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight," Liu shared. "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 now reveal that Story Kitchen is spearheading the live-action Sleeping Dogs film project, with Square Enix holding the rights. Story Kitchen has a strong track record with video game adaptations, having worked on projects ranging from the Sonic the Hedgehog movies to Netflix’s animated Tomb Raider series. They are currently involved in the upcoming Streets of Rage adaptation and an It Takes Two adaptation 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. Sources indicate that the Sleeping Dogs project has a writer and a major filmmaker attached, though no release date or production start date has been disclosed yet.

The movie represents a significant revival for Sleeping Dogs, which saw its sequel canceled in late 2013 before entering production, and its developer, United Front Games, shut down three years later. Now, more than a decade later, Sleeping Dogs could finally be poised for its much-anticipated cinematic debut.