The Sleeping Dogs movie has a director, a production company and, per Simu Liu, “a REAL path forward”. The remaining step is a rights deal with Square Enix, the publisher behind the 2012 open-world game.
Liu offered the update in a reply to a fan on X on August 16. He took over the project in early 2025, after Donnie Yen’s version was scrapped, and has spent the time since assembling the pieces.
“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!”
Simu Liu, on X, August 16, 2026
What is the Sleeping Dogs movie about?
The film adapts Square Enix and United Front Games’ 2012 crime drama, in which undercover cop Wei Shen infiltrates the Triads of a neon-lit Hong Kong. Story Kitchen describes it as “a vibrant, contemporary, neon-infused neo-noir Hong Kong”, with Wei Shen “torn between his duty as an officer of the law and, separately, his loyalty to a family of violent Triads”.
Liu produces and stars as Wei Shen. Timo Tjahjanto, of Nobody 2 and Killers, came aboard as director late last year, and the first draft of the script was completed in October 2025. Story Kitchen, the studio behind video game adaptations, is producing. The one piece still missing is Square Enix’s sign-off: the publisher owns the rights, and the dealmaking is where the project now sits.
The Sleeping Dogs movie has no release date or window. Liu has Avengers: Doomsday in December and is still pushing for Shang-Chi 2. He was a MEFCC 2026 guest in Abu Dhabi in April. Wei Shen has waited this long; a few more months of dealmaking will not faze him.
What is Sleeping Dogs?
A 2012 open-world crime game developed by United Front Games and published by Square Enix, set in a neon-lit Hong Kong. Players control Wei Shen, an undercover police officer who infiltrates the Sun On Yee Triad. The game is widely regarded as a cult classic.
Who is starring in the Sleeping Dogs movie?
Simu Liu is attached to produce and star as Wei Shen, the undercover cop protagonist of the game. He took over the project in early 2025 after Donnie Yen’s version was scrapped.
Who is directing the Sleeping Dogs movie?
Timo Tjahjanto, the Indonesian filmmaker behind Nobody 2 and Killers, was confirmed as director late in 2025. Story Kitchen, a production company specialising in video game adaptations, is producing alongside Liu.
