Sleeping Dogs Movie Moves Forward as Simu Liu Reports Contract Talks
Actor Simu Liu said on August 16 that the live-action film adaptation of the open-world action game Sleeping Dogs is progressing well, with a director and a production company now attached and a realistic path toward production in place. Liu, who played Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is set to star as undercover cop Wei Shen and to produce the film. He told fans that the project is currently in contract negotiations with Square Enix, the game's publisher. The adaptation has had a difficult history: a version starring Donnie Yen was in development from 2017 before collapsing in January 2025. Liu then took up the project, and in October 2025 he reported that a draft of the script was complete. In December 2025, Timo Tjahjanto, director of The Big 4 and Mr. Nobody 2, was announced as the film's director. Liu also thanked fans for their support, saying it strengthens everyone involved in the project.