Aishwarya Rai

Filming is to begin in China in early May for a movie that will pair the kung fu stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the film’s American producer has said. “The Forbidden Kingdom” will tell the story of an American teenager’s fantasy journey to ancient China to rescue a mythological monkey king, a tale loosely based on the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West.

” The choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, known for his work on the “Matrix” trilogy, will design the movie’s action sequences and Rob Minkoff, who made “Stuart Little” and “The Lion King,” will direct. Chan and Li, noted for contrasting fighting styles, worked in the Hong Kong cinema before moving on to Hollywood. (AP)

The actress Drew Barrymore is CoverGirl’s newest model and spokeswoman, joining a stable of famous faces that most recently included Queen Latifah, Molly Sims and Rihanna. Her selection by the Procter & Gamble company’s beauty brand was announced in Los Angeles. Barrymore, 32, said she welcomed the chance to play with makeup and try modeling. “What girl doesn’t fantasize about it?” she said. (AP)

Two of India’s favorite movie stars, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, have sent invitations - embossed with two entwined As and delivered with a box of chocolate meringues - for their private wedding set for this month, The Times of India reported this week in the latest in a spate of articles on the otherwise hush-hush nuptials.

Earlier reports in the Indian media have claimed that the couple will wed April 20 in a small ceremony at Bachchan’s family home in suburban Mumbai. The wedding invitations were sent to a select few - including the industrialist Anil Ambani and his wife, Tina, the filmmaker Karan Johar and the actor Anupam Kher, The Times said. Bachchan, 31, and Rai, 33, have worked together in several movies, including “Guru,” released in January. (AP)

The rapper Snoop Dogg was handed a three-year suspended sentence - meaning he will not spend time in jail - after he entered a surprise no-contest plea to gun and drug charges this week. The 35-year-old artist, whose given name is Calvin Broadus, was also sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to perform 800 hours of community service by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. Snoop Dogg was arrested Oct. 25 at a Los Angeles-area airport on suspicion of transporting marijuana. Police later found a gun at his home. (Reuters, AP)

Julie Bowen, who stars in the American television series “Boston Legal,” brought a bit of drama to the set this week: She went into labor. The actress gave birth later at a Los Angeles hospital to a boy, Oliver McLanahan Phillips, her spokesman said. Bowen, 37, is married to Scott Phillips, a real-estate investor. The series also stars James Spader and William Shatner. (AP)