Marvel star Simu Liu is set to adapt classic video game Sleeping Dogs into a movie.
Just last week, Liu confirmed via X that he wants to bring the game to the big screen and has been actively pitching the film to executives.
"So few film projects make it from pitch phase to green light," he said. "Pitching execs who don't understand the game has been tiring.
"First a movie, then a sequel game for everyone... that's always been a dream."
It seems Liu's determination has now paid off, as IGN has reported that the film is in active development, with Liu expected to produce the project and star as protagonist Wei Shen.
Released in 2012, Sleeping Dogs follows undercover cop Wei Shen as he transfers to Hong Kong to infiltrate the city’s Triad crime syndicate.
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A film adaptation was first announced in 2017, with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story's Donnie Yen set to star.
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Last month, however, Yen told Polygon that it was no longer in the works after he "spent a lot of time and did a lot of work" on the project.
"I spent a lot of time and did a lot of work with these producers, and I even invested some of my own money into obtaining the drafts and some of the rights," he said.
"I waited for years. Years. And I really want to do it. I have all these visions in my head, and unfortunately… I don’t know, you know how Hollywood goes, right? I spent many, many years on it. It was an unfortunate thing."
It might not be over for Yen entirely, though, as Liu confirmed via X that Yen would be his first phone call if the film was greenlit.
"If we actually pull this off, my first call will be to Donnie. Second call would be Will Yun Lee, the original voice of Wei," he wrote.
Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
