Industry people in China say Mission: Impossible 3 is set to shoot for up to a month in Shanghai in November. The film's climactic final scenes are expected to be lensed in the cultural capital of China, according to Variety.

Apparently, a fair proportion of the pre-production work, some plate shots and other second unit work, are to be done in China, as well. Until then, the producers, Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, have kept the secret of the Chinese shooting.

"I know that they've had issues about a helicopter, but I simply cannot believe that the Shanghai authorities will not move mountains to make sure that this film happens on their turf," said a China-based production executive.

The globe-trotting spy movie, directed by J.J. Abrams, and filmed in several locations across Europe, the U.S. and Asia , is set for release on May 5, 2006.

Asian-American Maggie Q ("Rush Hour 2", "Around The World in 80 Days") has recently joined the "Mission: Impossible 3 team", which also includes Keri Russell, Kenneth Branagh, Scarlett Johansson, Ving Rhames, Laurence Fishburne, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Eileen Atkins, Justin Kirk, Michelle Monaghan and Carrie-Anne Moss.

"Tom's history with Paramount has made for one of Hollywood's most successful relationships; the opportunity to continue our collaboration with him on Mission: Impossible 3 is everything anyone in show business could hope for. This has been a great franchise for Paramount Pictures and fantastic entertainment for moviegoers around the world. We're thrilled to be embarking on this exciting third 'Mission' with the amazing talents of Tom Cruise, J. J. Abrams, and the whole 'M:I 3' team," said Grey, Paramount CEO.