The film adaptation of the beloved video game Sleeping Dogs experienced a rollercoaster of developments recently. Initially confirmed to be cancelled earlier this month, the project now has a glimmer of hope for revival, thanks to Marvel star Simu Liu. As reported by Newsweek, Liu responded to a fan's call for an adaptation of the 2012 game on X/Twitter, stating that he is actively "working with the rights holders to bring Sleeping Dogs to the big screen."
The adaptation was first announced in 2017 with martial arts icon Donnie Yen set to star. However, the project vanished from the radar a year later and, just weeks ago, Yen himself confirmed its cancellation. In his statement, Yen expressed his deep involvement and disappointment, saying, "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?"
With Yen's confirmation, all hope for continuing the Hong Kong-set action franchise seemed lost. However, Liu's recent social media interaction has reignited interest and speculation. Whether Liu will successfully secure the rights or manage to get the film off the ground remains uncertain.
Sleeping Dogs, released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, follows the gripping narrative of detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates one of Hong Kong's notorious Triad crime syndicates. The game received widespread acclaim, scoring an impressive 8/10 in IGN's review. Despite its success, no sequels were developed, leaving fans eager for more of the gripping storyline and intense action.
