Simu Liu, star of Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is spearheading the adaptation of the popular video game Sleeping Dogs into a feature film. Contrary to initial reports, the project is actively in development, with Liu confirmed as producer and lead actor, portraying Wei Shen.
Sources close to the production have confirmed this to IGN, although Square Enix, the rights holder, has yet to officially comment. This new adaptation follows the cancellation of a previous attempt announced in 2017, starring Donnie Yen. Yen himself recently confirmed the project's demise after years of involvement.
Liu's involvement sparked excitement and some confusion amongst fans, prompting him to clarify his intentions, which extend beyond the film to include a potential sequel game. He highlighted the challenges of securing funding for video game adaptations, emphasizing the importance of fan support in bringing this project to fruition.
The Sleeping Dogs movie is being spearheaded by Story Kitchen, a production company with a proven track record in video game adaptations, including the Sonic the Hedgehog films and Netflix's Tomb Raider series. They are also currently working on adaptations of Streets of Rage and It Takes Two. While a writer and director are attached, a release date and production start date remain unannounced.
This film represents a significant resurgence for the Sleeping Dogs franchise, whose sequel was canceled in 2013, and whose original developer, United Front Games, subsequently closed. Over a decade later, Sleeping Dogs is poised for a cinematic comeback.
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