Nobody 2 director shoots the Sleeping Dogs film

Reason to rejoice for all fans of "Sleeping Dogs"! A film adaptation of the popular video game series was announced back in 2017 – now things are getting concrete. As lead actor Simu Liu announced on his X account, none other than "Nobody 2" director Timo Tjahjanto is to take over the direction.

The Indonesian filmmaker has already made a name for himself internationally with projects such as "The Night Comes for Us" and "The Shadow Strays" and is considered a specialist for brutal, handmade fight sequences. This means that the "Sleeping Dogs" film adaptation should also be anything but squeamish.

At the heart of "Sleeping Dogs" is undercover policeman Wei Shen, who is tasked with breaking up the powerful triad organization Sun On Yee from the inside. In order to gain the trust of the criminal bosses, Wei himself has to delve deep into illegal machinations – from protection rackets and drug trafficking to brutal power struggles.

The "Sleeping Dogs" adaptation has already suffered a few setbacks. The project was announced back in 2017, with martial arts icon Donnie Yen in the lead role. Despite great anticipation, however, the film disappeared from the scene for years. At the beginning of this year, Yen also announced his departure.

The turnaround was finally achieved by "Shang-Chi" Simu Liu, who made the project his personal mission. He not only took on the lead role, but also announced in October that a new script had been completed. It remains to be seen when the film will finally be released in cinemas. Details about the plot or the rest of the cast are also being kept under wraps.

Timo Tjahjanto: The best-known films by the master of uncompromising action

Timo Tjahjanto is one of the most distinctive voices in modern action and horror films today. The Indonesian director has made an international name for himself with his unmistakable style: extremely physical violence, fast camera work, dark characters and an uncompromising approach to brutality. His films are not for the faint-hearted, but enjoy cult status worldwide – not least among fans of hard martial arts action. Here is an overview of his best-known works.

The early horror works: "Macabre" and "V/H/S/2"

Tjahjanto's career began in horror. Together with Kimo Stamboel – known as a duo under the name The Mo Brothers – he directed the film "Macabre" in 2009. The bloody home invasion horror quickly made it clear that this was a director who knew no compromises. The film impressed with its raw violence, intense atmosphere and unsparing narrative style.

Tjahjanto received greater international attention for his contribution to the episodic film "V/H/S/2" (2013). The segment "Safe Haven", which he also realized with Stamboel, is still considered one of the best in the entire series. The mixture of found-footage horror, sectarian madness and escalating violence impressively demonstrated how skillfully Tjahjanto can build up tension and abruptly transform it into chaos.

Pure martial arts violence: "Headshot"

With "Headshot" (2016), Tjahjanto finally took the step into uncompromising action cinema. The film tells the story of a man with no memory who has to confront a brutal criminal organization. Iko Uwais once again impresses in the lead role, acting less acrobatically but all the more brutally.

"Headshot" is characterized by extremely tough hand-to-hand combat, raw punches and merciless violence. The film is less stylized than "The Raid", but is staged in a dirtier and more painful way. For many fans, Headshot marks the moment when Tjahjanto was finally recognized as a serious action director.

The breakthrough in the action genre: "The Night Comes for Us"

Timo Tjahjanto's international breakthrough came with "The Night Comes for Us" (2018). The Netflix film is now considered a modern action classic and is often mentioned in the same breath as The Raid. In the story about a contract killer who turns against his own organization, Tjahjanto unleashes an orgy of violence that is hard to beat.

The film impresses with extremely tough hand-to-hand combat, precisely choreographed martial arts sequences and uncompromising staging. Actors such as Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais deliver top physical and acting performances. "The Night Comes for Us" made it clear once and for all that Tjahjanto is one of Asia's most important action directors.

Hollywood entry: "Nobody 2"

Timo Tjahjanto finally reached mainstream cinema in 2025 with "Nobody 2". The sequel to the surprise hit "Nobody" continues the story of the seemingly harmless family man Hutch Mansell, once again played by Bob Odenkirk. Tjahjanto took over as director and brought his raw, physical style to a major Hollywood production for the first time.

"Nobody 2" combines a Western action narrative with Asian fight choreography and much harsher scenes of violence than in its predecessor. Critics and fans alike praised the fact that Tjahjanto gave the franchise a new, more brutal identity without losing the black humor of the series. The film is seen as an important step for Tjahjanto in establishing himself in international blockbuster cinema.

Conclusion

Timo Tjahjanto has developed from an underground horror director into one of the most sought-after action filmmakers of our time. Whether brutal gangster film, demonic horror or Hollywood sequel – his works are always uncompromising, intense and visually memorable. With "Nobody 2", he proved that his style also works on the big stage. For fans of hard action, his name remains a real promise of quality.