Marvel star Simu Liu has supplied a optimistic replace on his long-in-development Sleeping Dogs film adaptation, saying the movie has “a REAL path ahead” as discussions with recreation writer Sq. Enix proceed.
The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings actor supplied a deal with to affected person followers when requested in regards to the undertaking’s standing on X/Twitter. It has been a while since we heard the place Sleeping Dogs was at, however don’t be concerned, Liu mentioned it’s nonetheless very a lot within the works.
“Okay, right here it’s,” he replied to a fan asking for an replace. “We’re transferring alongside rather well, we’ve a director, and a manufacturing firm, and a REAL path ahead.”
okay, right here it’s. we’re transferring alongside rather well, we’ve a director, and a manufacturing firm, and a REAL path ahead.
we’re simply within the dealmaking course of with the sport studio rn (which is a complete fan second for me bc i really like SquareEnix). your assist is fuelling us all! https://t.co/1ufLYZab0E
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) August 16, 2026
Liu shortly stepped in to announce he had taken the reins to develop a film primarily based on Sq. Enix and United Entrance Video games’ Grand Theft Auto-inspired crime drama after Donnie Yen confirmed his take had been canned in early 2025. Though the character of his involvement was initially saved a thriller, IGN reported {that a} Sleeping Dogs film was, in truth, in improvement, with Liu set to supply and star as a live-action model of essential character Wei Shen.
The star’s new replace additionally mentions a director, which was confirmed to be No one 2 and Killers filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto late final 12 months. Online game adaptation veteran studio Story Kitchen can also be within the combine, and in October 2025, Liu introduced that the Sleeping Dogs script draft was accomplished.
Though issues are transferring slowly, they’re completely nonetheless transferring. Liu and the remainder of the Sleeping Dogs workforce now must work with Sq. Enix in the event that they wish to get the ball rolling towards an eventual launch.
“We’re simply within the dealmaking course of with the sport studio [right now] (which is a complete fan second for me [because] I really like Sq. Enix),” he added. “Your assist is fueling us all!”
“Set in a vibrant, up to date, neon-infused neo-noir Hong Kong,” an official description on the Story Kitchen website says. “WEI SHEN is an undercover cop torn between his responsibility as an officer of the regulation and, individually, his loyalty to a household of violent Triads that he’s making an attempt to infiltrate, a lot of whom he grew up with on the streets.”
The Sleeping Dogs film at the moment has no agency launch date or window. Liu has a lot to maintain him busy within the meantime, as he is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Avengers: Doomsday this December. He is additionally nonetheless pushing to make Shang-Chi 2 occur. Till we be taught extra, you’ll be able to learn IGN’s overview of the 2012 recreation to seek out out why we thought it deserved an 8.5/10.
Michael Cripe is a contract author with IGN. He is finest recognized for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Remember to give him a observe on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).