Simu Liu is pushing for an action video game adaptation that Donnie Yen wasn’t able to get off the ground, 13 years after the game’s release. Liu has become a very high-profile star in the last few years, rising to prominence on cast of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, playing the titular hero. He’s since starred in a variety of other high-profile films, including as the rival Ken in Barbie, Leo in Arthur the King, and Harlan Shepherd in Atlas. His upcoming movies include the survival thriller Last Breath, alongside the animated movie In Your Dreams.
The actor has also been branching out to TV projects as well, staged to voice the super-powered Multi-Paul in Invincible season 3. He’ll also be reprising his role as Shang-Chi in Marvel Zombies later this year, and will be starring in Peacock’s forthcoming sci-fi thriller Copenhagen. Given the diversity of projects he’s involved with, on screens both big and small, Liu clearly holds various interests when it comes to the movies he dedicates his time to. However, there’s one particular project, a video game adaptation, the star now wants to get off the ground.
Simu Liu Wants To Make A Sleeping Dogs Movie Adaptation
The Actor Is Picking Up Where Donnie Yen Left Off
Liu is now expressing interest in making a movie adaptation of the 2012 video game Sleeping Dogs, picking up where Yen left off on the project. The critically praised game follows Wei Shen, a martial arts expert and undercover cop who works his way up in the Sun On Yee Triad, intent on taking them down. In 2017, a movie adaptation was announced, with the Ip Man series star set to portray Wei. However, in January 2025, Yen revealed the film was no longer moving forward, despite having invested his own money into the project as well.
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Taking to X, Liu posted about his push create a movie adaptation of Sleeping Dogs, following Yen’s revelation his version of the movie was axed. The actor explained how film executives “don’t understand the game,” explaining why the original movie was in development for so long. He says his dream is to showcase to the world how beloved the game is, not only pushing for an adaptation, but for a sequel game too. Check out what Liu had to say below:
What Liu’s Interest In Adapting Sleeping Dogs Means For The Movie
Can The Project Be Revived?
The original adaptation for Sleeping Dogs was in development for almost eight years before Yen announced the movie would no longer be happening. This lengthy development time doesn’t bode well for the film to come out anytime soon, especially when it’s been having issues with getting to the production stage since 2017. However, Liu‘s push for the adaptation might keep it in the conversation, especially since its dark crime story would make for an engaging big screen experience.
Sleeping Dogs was going to be followed by a multiplayer spinoff called Triad Wars. However, the game was cancelled in 2015.
Source: Simu Liu/X
- Released
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August 14, 2012
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
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United Front Games
- Publisher(s)
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Square Enix