Simu Liuis 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 oncast ofShang-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 asthe rival Ken inBarbie, Leo inArthur the King, and Harlan Shepherd inAtlas. His upcoming movies include the survival thrillerLast Breath, alongside the animated movieIn Your Dreams.
The actor has also been branching out to TV projects as well, staged to voice the super-powered Multi-Paul inInvincibleseason 3.He’ll also be reprising his role as Shang-Chi inMarvel Zombieslater this year, and will be starring in Peacock’s forthcoming sci-fi thrillerCopenhagen. 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 gameSleeping Dogs, picking up where Yen left off on the project.The critically praised game follows Wei Shen, a martial arts expert and undercover copwho works his way up in the Sun On Yee Triad, intent on taking them down. In 2017, amovie adaptation was announced, with theIp Manseriesstar 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,Liuposted abouthis push create a movie adaptation ofSleeping 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 forSleeping Dogswas 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 Dogswas going to be followed by a multiplayer spinoff calledTriad Wars. However, the game was cancelled in 2015.
