Simu Liu Confirms Sleeping Dogs Movie Script Is Finished and Promises to Do the Game Justice

Simu Liu has confirmed that the long-awaited Sleeping Dogs movie is finally moving forward – and fans of the cult classic are cautiously hopeful. The Marvel star revealed that the first draft of the script is complete, sharing a cheeky photo of his own sleeping dog to mark the occasion. But beyond the humor, Liu’s update carried a spark of determination that fans have long been waiting for.

When asked if things were sorted out with Square Enix, the original IP holder, Liu responded candidly: “They’re absolutely great. It’s the studios that don’t seem to understand how important this IP is – but we’ll get them there.”

For those who’ve followed the Sleeping Dogs saga, this is more than a casual update. The adaptation has been trapped in development limbo for nearly a decade. Originally announced back in 2017 with Donnie Yen attached to star, the project fizzled out a year later. Yen himself confirmed earlier this year that his version had been scrapped after significant personal investment. But shortly afterward, Liu stepped in – not only as the lead actor, set to portray undercover detective Wei Shen – but also as a producer determined to bring the world of Hong Kong’s neon-lit underbelly to life.

The project is being handled by Story Kitchen, the same production company that helped adapt Sonic the Hedgehog and is currently behind Netflix’s animated Tomb Raider series. This gives fans hope that the studio knows how to translate beloved game experiences into compelling live-action stories. Still, expectations are high, and the pressure is on – especially given how passionate the Sleeping Dogs fanbase remains more than a decade after the game’s original 2012 release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Set in the heart of Hong Kong, Sleeping Dogs followed undercover cop Wei Shen as he infiltrated the city’s Triad network. It combined cinematic storytelling with fluid hand-to-hand combat and vibrant open-world design that set it apart from its American counterparts. Though it didn’t meet Square Enix’s sales hopes, critics and players adored its gritty tone, emotional depth, and authentic cultural backdrop. IGN’s Definitive Edition review praised it as an “8.5 out of 10 experience that stayed true to what made the original so great.”

For many gamers, Sleeping Dogs wasn’t just another open-world title – it was the game that proved you could make a crime thriller outside of the United States and still have it resonate globally. Fans have spent years calling for a sequel or remake, frustrated that such a strong IP has been left dormant. As one player recently joked, “From True Crime to Sleeping Dogs, and now here we are – still waiting while everyone makes another GTA clone.”

Simu Liu’s enthusiasm may finally mark a turning point. If the studios can recognize what made the game special – its grounded characters, raw fight choreography, and unique setting – the movie could become more than just another action flick. It could honor a beloved cult classic and perhaps even reignite the franchise. Whether Hollywood truly understands how important this property is remains to be seen, but at least one thing is certain: fans haven’t forgotten, and neither has Simu Liu.