Donnie Yen, who was set to star in a film adaptation of Sleeping Dogs, has confirmed its cancelation. The film was originally announced in March 2017 by Fast and Furious producer Neil Mortiz and Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto joined the project last year.

Actor Donnie Yen revealed that the Sleeping Dogs live-action movie adaptation has been canceled after years of waiting. Yen invested his time and money into the project, but it ultimately stalled in Hollywood. The video game sequel to Sleeping Dogs was scrapped, and the actor's clout wasn't enough to revive the movie adaptation.

Lionsgate is considering tapping Donnie Yen to direct the John Wick spin-off movie involving Yen’s Caine character. It was announced in May 2024 that Caine, a character who debuted in 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4,

Yen remains busy. His new movie, the hybrid courtroom drama/action thriller The Prosecutor directed and starring the actor, is out in theaters starting Jan. 10. Yen has also been attached to a John Wick spin-off centered on his John Wick: Chapter 4 character Caine, and he’s working on new entries in both the Ip Man and Flash Point franchises.

Dang it. Sleeping Dogs - a very good game about an undercover cop infitrating Hong Kong's triads by lying and backing that lying up by kicking half the population of the special administrative region right in the face - is no longer set to be getting a film adaptation starring Donnie Yen.

Donnie Yen revealed that he is in talks to direct the Caine spin-off, making it the first John Wick film to be helmed by its main star.