By Sagar V. Mankar 
The beloved 2012 open-world action game Sleeping Dogs is getting a movie adaptation, promising to bring its gritty Hong Kong crime narrative to the big screen.
According to IGN, Story Kitchen, a media company known for video game film adaptations, will produce the movie in collaboration with the game’s publisher Square Enix. Additionally, Shang Chi actor Simu Liu will play the main protagonist.
Recently, Simu Liu mentioned efforts to bring “Sleeping Dogs” to the big screen. Replying to fans on X, who asked him about any game adaptation in work, Liu revealed ongoing collaborations with the rights holders to adapt the game into a live-action film. Liu expressed the challenges of pitching the project to executives unfamiliar with the game but emphasized that the enthusiasm from fans has been a driving force. He also shared aspirations for a potential game sequel, stating, “First a movie, then a sequel game for everyone… that’s always been the dream.”
The original Sleeping Dogs game followed Wei Shen, an undercover officer infiltrating a dangerous Triad crime syndicate. Released in 2012, the game was praised for its compelling storyline, impressive combat mechanics, stellar star cast, and depiction of Hong Kong quickly becoming a standout in the open-world action genre. Despite fierce competition from Grand Theft Auto, the game carved out its own unique identity.
However, despite critical acclaim, the game did not meet the publisher’s sales expectations, leading to the cancellation of a planned sequel in 2013 and the eventual closure of its developer, United Front Games, in 2016.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first attempt to adapt the game for the screen either. Back in 2017, Ip Man actor Donnie Yen was attached to the project but ultimately saw it fall apart. Earlier this year, in an interview with Polygon, Yen revealed he had invested significant time and personal resources into the adaptation, only to see it dissolve after years of effort.
Story Kitchen brings considerable experience to the adaptation, having worked on successful video game film projects like the Sonic the Hedgehog movies and Netflix’s Tomb Raider series. They also working on an adaption of the upcoming RPG “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” even before the game’s release.
While specific details about the film’s production remain under wraps, reports confirmed a writer and a major filmmaker are already tied to the project. It’s interesting to see how this next film adaptation unfolds considering past failed attempts.