Simu Liu Advocates for 'Sleeping Dogs' Movie Adaptation

The eagerly awaited film adaptation of the beloved 2012 video game, Sleeping Dogs, which was officially cancelled earlier this month, may have a glimmer of hope for revival, thanks to Marvel star Simu Liu. According to a report by Newsweek, Liu responded to a fan's plea on X/Twitter for a movie version of the game, stating he is actively working on bringing the project to life. "Working with the rights holders to bring Sleeping Dogs to the big screen," Liu shared, sparking excitement among fans.

Originally announced in 2017, the adaptation was set to feature Donnie Yen in the lead role. However, the project vanished from the public eye a year later, and just weeks ago, Yen confirmed its cancellation. He expressed his disappointment and dedication to the project, revealing, "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. I waited for years. And I really wanted to do it. And unfortunately... I don't know. You know how Hollywood goes, right?"

The cancellation seemed to mark the end of hopes for continuing the action-packed Hong Kong-set franchise. Yet, the unexpected response from Simu Liu, star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, to a random social media post has reignited interest. It remains to be seen whether Liu will successfully secure the rights and bring the film to fruition.

Sleeping Dogs was initially released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, immersing players in the gripping narrative of detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates one of Hong Kong's notorious Triad crime syndicates. The game was critically acclaimed, receiving an impressive 8/10 from IGN, though no sequels were ever developed.