No, Sleeping Dogs is not dead. Simu Liu just popped up on X with the kind of update that actually means movement: the script draft is done. He is clearly in the trenches on this one, and he also tossed out a candid note about what is (and isn’t) getting in the way.
The update
On October 18, 2025, Liu posted a shot of himself and his very relaxed dog on the couch alongside a screenshot of the Sleeping Dogs screenplay. The vibe: celebratory, because the draft is finished.
He then replied to a question from insider My Time to Shine about working with Square Enix (the game’s publisher) and gave a pretty frank status report: the publisher is on board; the holdup is convincing studios the IP is as valuable as it looks.
"They're absolutely great it's the studios that don't seem to understand how important this IP is but we will get them there."
Studios dragging their feet on a bankable action IP? Color me unsurprised. But it is useful to hear it straight from someone pushing the boulder uphill.
Quick refresher: what Sleeping Dogs is
Sleeping Dogs landed in 2012 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, developed by United Front Games and published by Square Enix. You play as Wei Shen, a Hong Kong-American cop and martial artist going deep undercover to infiltrate the Sun On Yee Triad. The game got compared to the usual open-world suspects like Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row, but it stood out for its melee combat, sharp voice work, and a Hong Kong setting that actually felt lived-in.
About that Donnie Yen version
A movie adaptation was first announced back in 2017 with Donnie Yen set to star. That iteration eventually fell apart. Earlier this year, Yen said the project was no longer happening, and that he had spent years on it, even putting in his own money to secure drafts and some rights. Translation: it bounced around forever, got messy, and died on the vine. He wished it well and moved on.
So what does Liu's news actually mean?
There is a fresh script draft. Square Enix is supportive. The next big hurdle is a studio stepping up. Liu sounds confident he can get them there, but this is still in the development phase. Until there is a green light, a director, a schedule, and a cast locked, consider this a promising step rather than a done deal.
Where things stand now
- Script draft: finished, per Simu Liu's October 18, 2025 post on X (complete with couch dog and a script screenshot).
- Rights/publisher: Square Enix published the 2012 game and, according to Liu, is playing ball.
- Obstacle: studio buy-in. Liu says that is the piece he is working to secure.
- Previous attempt: the 2017 Donnie Yen version unraveled; earlier this year Yen said it was no longer in the works after years of trying and personal investment.
- The game: United Front Games developed it for PS3/Xbox 360/PC; you play undercover cop Wei Shen infiltrating the Sun On Yee; praised for combat, voice acting, and a convincing Hong Kong.
The read-between-the-lines part
This is one of those rare moments where someone involved spells out the business snag. The creatives and the IP owner are aligned; the financing gatekeepers need convincing. If Liu can land that, expect this to heat up fast. Until then, enjoy the small but real win: after years of false starts, there is a new script on the table.