Since its release in 2012, Sleeping Dogs has been considered an underrated game that stands out for its representation of crime in an open world set in contemporary Hong Kong. Despite its innovative approach to hand-to-hand combat, the work of United Front Games has fallen into obscurity, especially after the studio’s closure and the unlikelihood of a sequel. However, the franchise has found new life in cinema, with the announcement of a film adaptation in progress.
Dogs Wake Up
Timo Tjahjanto, a prominent Indonesian director known for his violent and frenetic style, has been chosen to direct the film. Tjahjanto, who has worked on productions like Nobody 2 and The Beekeeper 2, brings a unique voice to the mix, one that combines hard-hitting action with a dynamic narrative, reminiscent of the work of Gareth Evans and Chad Stahelski, famous for their contributions to the action genre.
The project also has the support of Simu Liu, known for his role in the Marvel movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Liu will not only take on the lead role but will also act as a producer, seeking to extend the life of the franchise and show Square Enix that Sleeping Dogs still has a loyal audience. The script, which will be written by Tze Chun, known for his work on the series Gotham, promises to capture the essence of the video game and attract a new audience.
The movie will depend on its box office performance to decide the future of the franchise, including a possible sequel to the video game. As the project progresses, the community of followers and fans hopes that this reclamation of the original title can open the doors to new experiences in the Sleeping Dogs universe.