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

This week, Marvel Cinematic Universe star Simu Liu sent waves of excitement through the fanbase of the beloved video game *Sleeping Dogs* when he announced via Twitter his collaboration 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 revealed 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 comment on this exciting development.

Originally released in 2012 across PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC platforms, *Sleeping Dogs* follows the gripping narrative of detective Wei Shen infiltrating one of Hong Kong's notorious Triad crime syndicates. Despite not meeting the sales targets set by publisher Square Enix, the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase and sparked ongoing interest in a potential sequel.

Sleeping Dogs is set for a wake-up call with a movie adaptation. Image credit: Square Enix. The journey to a film adaptation has been tumultuous. Initially announced in 2017 with Donnie Yen slated to star, the project fell through the cracks a year later. Yen recently confirmed to Polygon that the film was officially scrapped, expressing his disappointment after years of investment and effort.

Liu's announcement caused some confusion among fans, prompting him to clarify his intentions further. In a follow-up statement, he expressed the challenges of pitching to executives unfamiliar with the game and highlighted the overwhelming support from the fan community as a driving force. Liu's vision extends beyond the film, with aspirations to also bring a *Sleeping Dogs* video game sequel to life, echoing the sentiments of many fans.

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

11 Images

IGN can confirm that Story Kitchen is spearheading the Sleeping Dogs live-action feature film project, with Square Enix as the rights holder. Story Kitchen has a robust track record in video game adaptations, having worked on the Sonic the Hedgehog films, Netflix's animated Tomb Raider series, and is currently involved with the upcoming Streets of Rage and It Takes Two adaptations for Amazon. Last year, they also announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, directed by Ángel Manuel Soto of Blue Beetle fame.

While *Sleeping Dogs* has a writer and a major filmmaker attached to the project, details regarding a release date or the start of production remain under wraps. This movie represents a significant revival for *Sleeping Dogs*, especially after the cancellation of its video game sequel in 2013 and the closure of its original developer, United Front Games, in 2016. Over a decade later, *Sleeping Dogs* may finally be poised for its cinematic awakening.