Sleeping Dogs Movie Finally Moves Forward as Simu Liu Confirms Script Is Done

After years of silence and a cancellation, the long-dormant Sleeping Dogs movie has finally stirred back to life. Actor Simu Liu has confirmed that the script draft for the long-awaited adaptation is complete, the first real sign of progress since the project was first announced nearly a decade ago.

A Cult Classic Deserving Another Shot

Released in 2012, Sleeping Dogs became an instant cult hit thanks to its Hong Kong setting, fluid martial arts combat, and gripping undercover cop narrative. Fans had long hoped for a sequel, but those dreams faded when developer United Front Games closed in 2016.

The movie adaptation, initially revealed in 2017 with Donnie Yen attached to star, also seemed to fall into development limbo. Until now, it appeared to be another promising video game adaptation lost to time.

Simu Liu Shares Long-Awaited Update

In a post on X/Twitter, Liu shared that the Sleeping Dogs movie script has officially been completed. While he stopped short of naming the screenwriter or confirming casting details, the announcement was enough to reignite fan enthusiasm for a project many thought was dead.

Liu, best known for his role in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, previously called Sleeping Dogs a “dream project” and one that combines martial arts spectacle with the emotional grit of Hong Kong action cinema.

Square Enix Reportedly on Board

Responding to fans on social media, Liu clarified that Square Enix, the IP holder, has been supportive of the project. The real challenge, he hinted, lies with Hollywood executives who remain unconvinced of the franchise’s potential.

“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,” Liu wrote.

A Possible Revival for the Franchise?

Square Enix has yet to issue any official statement about the film’s progress or the future of the Sleeping Dogs IP. The company has largely moved on from the franchise since United Front’s closure, leaving the 2014 spin-off Triad Wars as its last notable project.

Still, Liu’s update offers a rare glimmer of hope. If the film finally moves forward, it could reintroduce Sleeping Dogs to a new generation of fans — and perhaps even spark a renewed interest in reviving the series itself.

For now, the wait continues but for the first time in years, it feels like Wei Shen’s story might finally have another chapter.