Sleeping Dogs Film Taps Nobody 2 Director Timo Tjahjanto
The long-awaited live-action adaptation of Sleeping Dogs has taken a major step forward with the appointment of a director. Indonesian filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto has been confirmed to helm the project, which is set to star Shang-Chi actor Simu Liu as protagonist Wei Shen.
Originally released in 2012, Sleeping Dogs earned a cult following for its blend of open-world exploration, martial arts combat and parkour-driven gameplay, set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s criminal underworld. Despite strong critical reception, modest sales stalled plans for a sequel, leaving the franchise dormant for years.
Hollywood interest in the property has since revived the project, with Simu Liu attached to lead the film as an undercover police officer navigating the city’s triad gangs. Earlier this year, Liu revealed that a completed script was in place, but details about the film’s direction remained unclear until now.
Liu confirmed Tjahjanto’s involvement in a post on social media, marking a significant milestone for the adaptation. Tjahjanto is best known for his visceral action style and recently directed Nobody 2, the sequel to the 2021 Bob Odenkirk-led action film. He is also attached to other high-profile projects, including a follow-up to The Beekeeper and a potential Hollywood continuation of Train to Busan.
Notably, Tjahjanto has publicly expressed interest in bringing Sleeping Dogs to the big screen in the past, suggesting the game’s cinematic potential had long been overlooked by studio executives.
The film has yet to secure a studio partner or announce a release date. However, with a completed script, a confirmed director and a high-profile lead actor, momentum appears to be building after years of stalled attempts. Previous versions of the adaptation failed to materialise, including one that had action star Donnie Yen attached to play Wei Shen.
For fans of the game, the latest development signals renewed hope that Sleeping Dogs may finally make a successful transition from console to cinema.
