Hollywood is making strides to adapt popular video games once more as upcoming titles hit the screens. One of the most anticipated processes involves the adaptation of the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which is set to be released on April 24th for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Reports suggest developer Sandfall Interactive is collaborating with Story Kitchen to craft what they envision as a compelling cinematic experience.
Reported by Variety, Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg, co-founders of Story Kitchen, expressed their excitement: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Sandfall Interactive to bring the rich, immersive world of ‘Expedition 33’ to the big screen. The game’s compelling narrative and complex characters provide a solid foundation for a cinematic experience.” While the game is set to launch soon, there's still much anticipation surrounding its film adaptation.
Meanwhile, Marvel star Simu Liu has also entered the picture, reigniting enthusiasm for the long-gestated adaptation of the popular game Sleeping Dogs. Announcing on January 31, 2025, via X/Twitter, Liu confirmed he was working with the rights holders to finally get the film off the ground—a project many have contemplated over the years.
Liu, known for his role as Shang-Chi, shared his dream: “First a movie, then a sequel game for everyone… that's always been the dream.” His determination to materialize this project reflects not only his personal aspirations but also the love many have for the Sleeping Dogs franchise, which once commanded significant attention but faced obstacles during its earlier adaptation attempts.
Notably, this isn’t Liu's first encounter with film adaptations; he aims to succeed where others have faltered. Previously, famed action star Donnie Yen was set to star and produce his own rendition of Sleeping Dogs, indicating the film’s complexity and the high-profile efforts to adapt this cult favorite.
Simu Liu candidly shared the process of pitching this project to executives, stating, “So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight. Pitching execs who don’t understand the game has been tiring.” This sentiment resonates with many gaming enthusiasts who often express frustration at how gaming narratives are interpreted for film.
Story Kitchen, known for its successful adaptations including the Sonic the Hedgehog movies and the Netflix series Tomb Raider, is set to take the lead on this adaptation. Liu’s involvement already draws significant attention, promising to inject new life and credibility to the project. The facts surrounding the Sleeping Dogs movie are still thin, but industry insiders hint at movement and progress.
The adaptation of video games to film requires delicate handling, as Hollywood’s historical track record with such attempts has been decidedly mixed. Projects like The Last of Us, Arcane, and the recent Sonic films demonstrate the growing potential for video game adaptations under capable creative stewardship. Each has shown audiences the depth and richness these stories can bring, instilling some cautious optimism for new adaptations to follow.
Overall, both Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Sleeping Dogs adaptations represent broader trends of engaging loyal fanbases and tapping vibrant game narratives to populate the film industry. The supportive fan community has already played a significant role with Simu Liu confidently stating, “Everyone’s overwhelming love of Sleeping Dogs here has really provided us life!”
With these developments, it’s clear the adaptation of beloved games is revitalizing excitement and awareness across the industry. The future of these films lies heavily on public interest, with each project risking disappointment yet standing to offer extraordinary cinematic experiences if executed with care and creativity.