Marvel Cinematic Universe star Simu Liu has confirmed the movie script for a critically-acclaimed PlayStation game Sleeping Dogs is finally complete, following a number of failed attempts to adapt it. Sleeping Dogs is a 2012 action-adventure game developed by now-defunct United Front Games. It follows Hong Kong police officer Wei Shen who goes undercover within the Sun On Yee Triad.

A film adaptation was originally announced in 2017, with Donnie Yen attached to star. However, plans fell through, with Yen confirming Sleeping Dogs wasn’t happening in January 2025. However, Liu revealed plans to revive the project, the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star having previously expressed interest in being attached. He’s expected to star as Wei Shen.

Now, Liu has taken to social media to confirm the first draft script for Sleeping Dogs has been completed. In now-deleted Instagram story post, Liu revealed the script was written by Tze Chun, best known for writing TV shows like Gotham and I’m a Virgo. Production companies Story Kitchen and Hill District Media are also attached to the upcoming adaptation.

The Sleeping Dogs movie will be its first additional media outside the game. A sequel to the game was planned in 2013, but by the end of that year, the idea had been scrapped. A multiplayer spinoff, Triad Wars, was announced in October 2013, but by the time its planned release window of 2015 arrived, it had shut down.

While Liu’s announcement doesn’t reveal what to expect from the story, the adaptation will likely follow the same major plot beats as the game. This means plenty of action and tension, with a gripping storyline set all around Hong Kong. Given Liu’s best movies and TV shows have included high-octane moments and drama, Sleeping Dogs is a fitting new role.

It’s also good news for acclaimed video games getting translated to the screen. From the upcoming God of War TV adaptation to the fast-approaching Fallout season 2, mature games with complex stories are becoming the groundwork for plenty of adaptations. Sleeping Dogs is no exception thanks to a grounded, action-packed premise perfect for a thrilling crime drama.

With the first draft of the script finished, Sleeping Dogs is one step closer to seeing life on the big screen. The film’s biggest hurdle will be accurately honoring its source material while translating its story to a new medium. But, given Liu’s pᴀssion for the project, it seems inevitable the movie will more than justify its existence.