Hugh Jackman to film with Li Bingbing in China

The lineup for the film "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" has been finalized, and it includes Wolverine, we mean Hollywood and Broadway star Hugh Jackman, alongside China’s Li Bingbing. Li is taking over the role originally given to starlet Zhang Ziyi.

"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” a film adaptation of Lisa See's 2005 book of the same name and directed by Chinese-American filmmaker Wayne Wang, is set in 19th century China and is the story of two women’s lifelong friendship.

The film is being shot in Hengdian, one of China's large film studios in Zhejiang, near Shanghai. Hugh Jackman should arrive in mid-February to begin taping. Just in case he arrives early to beat the Chinese New Year crush, we say get your cameras, autograph books and best shrieks of "Huuuuuuugh!" prepared now. 

In other Shanghai news …

Middle Kingdom on ice: The U.S. hockey team the Islanders will spend nine days in China in September as part of their training camp. Although they’ll remain mainly in northern China, the trip will include a “friendship tour” of Shanghai. We hope they’ll have time to take on the Shanghai hockey club teams.

Wal-mart stocks up: Looking for the real deal when it comes to Expo swag? Wal-mart’s got you covered, now one of the only 150 officially licensed venues to sell Expo products.

Time wrap: Go back in time to check out the Shanghai Race Club in its glory days. 

Year of the Tiger: Find out what the Year of the Tiger has in store for you. 

Soft opening: Chalet Suisse, the new project by Napa Wine Bar & Kitchen owner Philippe Huser, softly opened its doors this week on 1582 Kangding Lu (near Wahangdu lu). Expect a menu of Swiss delicacies and 60-70 wines to choose from.