According to The Hollywood Reporter, Zhang Ziyi (Memoirs of a Geisha) is joining the cast of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Wayne Wang (Maid In Manhattan) is going to direct this film.

The script takes place in the 19th century remote China. It revolves around the lifelong friendship of Lily and Snow Flower and their imprisonment by the strict cultural codes of conduct for women.

The script for this project is based on a novel by Lisa See. It was written by Wang and screenwriter Michael Ray. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan will start shooting early next year in China. This will be Wang's first film set in that country.