10 Years of Work: Lucy Liu's 'Pirate Queen' Expands to Tour and Games

Ten years of development have culminated in a multi-format expansion for "The Pirate Queen: No Safe Waters," an immersive experience about the 18th-century Chinese pirate leader Cheng Shih. Creator Eloise Singer confirmed that the project will begin an international tour next year, moving beyond its initial virtual reality format.

The expansion includes a co-written graphic novel and a new video game currently in development. These projects extend the narrative built around Cheng Shih, a historical figure who commanded a powerful fleet in the South China Sea in the early 1700s. The original 2024 VR version of the story received an Emmy nomination, while the new "No Safe Waters" iteration competed in the Immersive Competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Singer, who serves as writer and director, was named to the 2026 BAFTA Breakthrough U.K. cohort on Nov. 4. The program, supported by Netflix, identifies emerging screen talent, and Singer was selected specifically in the games category for her work on "No Safe Waters." She described the selection as a surreal moment after long aspiration, noting that the recognition validates the team's effort to create an experience audiences could step inside.

Lucy Liu, who narrates and produces the new piece, has worked with Singer on the project for the last three years. Liu describes Cheng Shih as politically astute and ruthless when necessary, a leader who won respect through negotiation in a world that excluded women. Liu stated that the character defies stereotypes often placed on Asian women in mainstream narratives, offering a complex history that has rarely been centered in storytelling.

The technical approach of "No Safe Waters" differs from the earlier headset-based release. The new production fills a shared room with projection, sound, and movement. Audiences stand among simulated storms and fleets, with visual elements moving beneath their feet. Liu does not appear on screen in the new version. She explained that voice carries a different responsibility in immersive work, helping to create emotional architecture where a camera would typically capture physical gestures.

Singer emphasized the collaborative nature of the project's growth. She said she feels lucky to be making the work with Liu, who has invested deeply in the creative vision. The pair are building a larger storyworld rather than focusing on a single experience. Liu noted that as a producer, she wanted to support the integrity of the story and the scale of the creative vision, aiming to challenge conventions and create space for underexplored histories.

Singer indicated that this year marks a shift in the viability of immersive storytelling. She reported genuine encouragement from the level of distribution interest surrounding the franchise, suggesting a real appetite for this type of work has emerged. Liu viewed the form as an extension of filmmaking that changes the relationship between the story and the viewer by asking for different participation.

Singer's background is in film and television, and she is currently developing scripted projects alongside her immersive work. She said she is drawn to stories about people who challenge expectations or are overlooked by history. A fellow BAFTA program alumna advised her to make the most of every opportunity, and Singer said she intends to meet other filmmakers and find ways to collaborate on future projects.

The franchise now spans virtual reality, physical touring installations, print media, and digital gaming. Singer said she loves seeing how one story can take on new life across different formats, each offering a distinct way for audiences to experience the narrative. The team continues to work on the new game and the graphic novel as part of this expanded universe.

Liu and Singer will lead the international tour next year. The tour will bring the shared-room projection experience to new audiences, continuing the story of Cheng Shih beyond the initial VR release. The BAFTA recognition adds an industry milestone to the project's timeline, following its Cannes competition appearance and Emmy nomination.