Video game adaptations have come a long way from the days of critical and commercial flops like Assassin's Creed and Warcraft. With recent hits such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Uncharted dominating the box office, and HBO's The Last of Us elevating the genre's prestige, fans are more optimistic than ever about their favorite games making the leap to the screen. Among the most anticipated projects is the adaptation of the cult classic Sleeping Dogs, and now we finally have a promising update.
Simu Liu, the actor attached to star in the film, took to X (formerly Twitter) to answer a fan's question about the project's status. His response was a breath of fresh air for those who had been waiting for news. "Okay, here it is. We're moving along really well. We have a director, and a production company, and a REAL path forward. We're just in the dealmaking process with the game studio right now (which is a total fan moment for me because I love Square Enix). Your support is fueling us all!"
The announcement was met with an outpouring of excitement from fans, with one going so far as to say the movie has "the potential to be the greatest video game adaptation ever if done right." That's high praise, but given the source material, it's not hard to see why expectations are soaring.
For those unfamiliar, Sleeping Dogs is a 2012 open-world action game that blends the gritty undercover cop narrative of Infernal Affairs with the adrenaline-pumping combat of John Wick. Set in a vividly realized Hong Kong, the game follows Wei Shen, a police officer who infiltrates the dangerous Triad crime syndicate. It was widely praised for its storytelling, combat mechanics, and immersive world, earning a devoted fanbase that has been clamoring for a film adaptation for over a decade.
The road to the big screen hasn't been smooth. For years, martial arts legend Donnie Yen was attached to star, but he exited the project in 2025. Shortly after, Simu Liu stepped in, bringing his own star power and martial arts prowess to the role. Director Timo Tjahjanto, known for his intense action films, was also brought on board. Tjahjanto previously expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We are both hungry and passionate about the material and have plenty to prove."
Liu is no stranger to high-stakes action, having made his mark as Shang-Chi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He's set to reprise that role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, but his passion for Sleeping Dogs is evident. Meanwhile, Yen is moving forward with his own Hong Kong-set John Wick spin-off, Caine, so fans of both actors have plenty to look forward to.
While the deal with Square Enix is still being finalized, Liu's update is the most concrete progress we've heard in over a year. The fact that a director and production company are already attached suggests the project is moving at a steady pace. For fans who have been waiting since the game's release, this is a welcome sign that the adaptation is finally becoming a reality.
As the gaming and film industries continue to embrace crossovers, Sleeping Dogs stands out as a property with immense potential. Its unique blend of martial arts, crime drama, and open-world exploration could translate beautifully to the big screen, especially with a cast and crew this passionate. We'll be keeping a close eye on any further developments, so stay tuned for more updates.
