Donnie Yen’s ‘Sleeping Dogs’ Video Game Adaptation Is Dead

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After a prolonged period of halted progress and setbacks, the movie adaptation of the “Sleeping Dogs” video game has been cancelled. The “Sleeping Dogs” movie was first announced in 2017, with Original Film and DJ2 Entertainment slated to produce the project. However, since the initial announcement, there’s been little information shared, making the film seem increasingly unlikely as time went by. Although minor updates on the project were made public, such as potential director choices and Yen’s statements in 2018 about trying to advance the film, overall there’s been a lot of quietness regarding its development.

Recently, Donnie Yen shared some disappointing news about the “Sleeping Dogs” film adaptation in a recent interview with Polygon. Since Yen was initially involved in the video game adaptation, his latest comments carry an extra layer of sadness. He explained the hard work he put into trying to make it happen and finding the perfect story for the movie. However, after much effort, he ultimately decided to step away from the attempted adaptation.

I’ve poured a considerable amount of effort, time, and personal finances into collaborating with these producers, acquiring drafts and rights in the process. After a long wait, spanning several years, my passion for this project remains unwavering. I have so many ideas swirling around, but unfortunately, as you might understand about Hollywood, things didn’t turn out as planned. Nevertheless, it’s time to move forward towards brighter prospects.

Donnie Yen’s ‘Sleeping Dogs‘ Is a Missed Opportunity

It’s particularly disappointing that the actor from “Rogue One” decided to leave the film following years of attempts to make it, given the numerous video game adaptations that have come out recently. Shows like “Yakuza”, “Fallout”, and “The Last of Us” on television, as well as movies such as “Uncharted” and the “Sonic the Hedgehog” series, suggest that the curse of poor video game adaptations may be lifting. A “Sleeping Dogs” adaptation would likely have been successful if production had progressed as planned.

Currently, Donnie Yen has other captivating ventures to engage in. Most recently, Yen disclosed his ambition to helm the spin-off film of John Wick, centered around his character, Caine, who debuted in John Wick Chapter Four. The actor also recently took on dual roles as director and lead in his latest production, titled The Prosecutor. Given the emphasis on close-combat in the Sleeping Dogs video game, Yen’s participation seems an ideal match for the franchise.

Despite Donnie Yen suggesting his focus has shifted towards other projects, there remains a possibility that the adaptation of the game could still materialize without him. The fact that Yen is seeking an ideal script suggests he values creating a captivating story based on the game, which may have caused delays in production. Although it’s unfortunate that Yen will no longer participate, it’s comforting to know he takes both emotional and financial stake in the quality of his films.

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2025-01-10 17:33