MCU Star Simu Liu Pushes Long-Delayed Sleeping Dogs Movie Forward as Beekeeper 2 Director Joins Project
A long-awaited action video game adaptation is finally gaining momentum. After years of false starts, stalled development, and multiple creative shake-ups, the Sleeping Dogs movie has secured a major boost with the addition of Timo Tjahjanto, the action filmmaker behind The Beekeeper 2, Nobody 2, and Netflix’s The Shadow Strays.
The update came directly from MCU star Simu Liu, who has become the driving force behind reviving the adaptation. Liu shared the news on X, confirming that Tjahjanto will officially direct the film — a promising choice given the filmmaker’s reputation for brutal, stylish action choreography.
The movie adaptation of Sleeping Dogs — the acclaimed 2012 open-world game from Square Enix — has been in limbo for almost a decade. Donnie Yen previously tried to shepherd the project but ultimately stepped away after years of delays. Liu, leveraging the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, stepped in and helped push the adaptation back into active development. Earlier this year, the project hit another milestone when the script was officially completed.
A Gritty Game Demands a High-Impact Director
The original Sleeping Dogs follows Wei Shen, an undercover cop infiltrating Hong Kong’s Sun On Yee Triad. The game earned praise for its gritty storytelling, immersive open world, and action inspired by classic Hong Kong cinema — particularly the bullet-ballet style of John Woo’s Hard Boiled and The Killer.
Tjahjanto’s résumé makes him a natural fit. His films are known for intense, hyper-kinetic fight scenes, practical stunt work, and violent emotional stakes — all crucial elements for bringing Sleeping Dogs to the big screen. Although production dates are not yet confirmed, reports suggest Sleeping Dogs could be his next project, with The Beekeeper 2 currently in post-production.
Liu Takes on a Darker Role
Simu Liu’s casting marks a major tonal shift from what MCU and Kim’s Convenience fans have seen before. Wei Shen is a morally conflicted, psychologically strained protagonist — a character forged in blood and betrayal. The resulting film is widely expected to be R-rated, diving into the brutal world of triad warfare.
Liu, whose star power continues to grow, will next appear in Avengers: Doomsday, hitting theaters next December. He also recently debuted in The Copenhagen Test, further expanding his action-drama portfolio.
Sleeping Dogs’ Long Road May Finally Be Ending
For fans of the cult-classic game, this is the most significant movement the project has seen in years. With the script done, a director locked in, and a passionate star pushing it forward, momentum is firmly back on the adaptation’s side. Further updates are expected soon, with Liu continuing to tease developments on social media as production inches closer.
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