Marvel Star Simu Liu Says He's Working to Get Sleeping Dogs a Film Adaptation

Simu Liu, the star of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has ignited a spark of hope for fans of the cancelled Sleeping Dogs film adaptation. Newsweek reports Liu responded to a fan on X/Twitter, stating he’s actively working with rights holders to bring the game to the big screen.

This news comes as a surprise after the project’s cancellation earlier this month. Donnie Yen, originally slated to star, confirmed the film’s demise, citing years of work and investment that ultimately came to nothing. He alluded to the unpredictable nature of Hollywood.

Announced in 2017, the Sleeping Dogs adaptation vanished a year later. Now, thanks to Liu’s intervention, the possibility of a cinematic adaptation has been unexpectedly revived. Whether he secures the rights or finds another path to production remains uncertain.

The critically acclaimed 2012 video game, Sleeping Dogs, follows undercover detective Wei Shen as he navigates the treacherous world of Hong Kong’s Triad gangs. The game, which received an 8/10 rating from IGN, was a success on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, yet never spawned any sequels. Liu's involvement could finally bring this compelling story to the silver screen.