Tom Cruise is crazy about China -- scrap that, he's just plain crazy -- and it seems China is crazy for him, too. Xitang, an ancient water town in Zhejiang, will "close from tomorrow" (which we think means today) for the filming of Mission: Impossible III. That's right, they are closing an entire town (or so the story makes it seem ... no other details were given).
An "insider" reports that Cruise is scheduled to arrive in Shanghai next Thursday and "Taiwan media have received invitations to arrive in Shanghai on November 28." The movie is also supposed to film on the Bund and around the Pearl and Jinmao towers -- surprise, surprise. Outdoor scenes filmed in China are supposed to account for 40 percent of the entire film.
There is no word on whether Sue Chow will appear in the film.
Also on Shanghaiist:
Pop your Scientology tents, Tom’s coming to town



I really really wish it would be Zhang Zi Yi. Because I love her. But it would also be a cool pairing. And I would like to see her save him rather than the other way around. Although if I'm wishing for stuff, I would like to be her on-call boy-toy. Did I take that too far?
If you care about this kind of stuff: A Shanghaiist reader reports that Tom Cruise was spotted dining at New Heights last night.
Looks like he is staying at the Four Seasons: