James Cameron returns for first film since 'Titanic'

LOS ANGELES: Legendary Canadian director James Cameron has announced plans for his first movie since 1997's Oscar-winning epic 'Titanic', film trade press has reported.

Cameron will return with a 200-million-dollar science fiction film titled 'Avatar', which tells the story of a band of humans locked in a battle with inhabitants of a distant planet.

The 52-year-old director said he had conceived the project 11 years ago but had been waiting for technological advancements that will enable him to bring his vision to the big screen.

"I've wanted to do it since then, but sort of shoved it in the back of the pic," Cameron told Daily Variety on Tuesday.

The project was given the green light by Fox studios earlier this week.

The movie is due for release in 2009, 12 years after 'Titanic', one of the most expensive and successful films in the history of cinema. The film grossed USD 1.8 billion at the box office and bagged 11 Oscars.

Cameron will work closely with New Zealand 'Lord of the Rings' director Peter Jackson on the project, Variety reported.

Cameron had been reported to be preparing another science fiction film, 'Battle Angel', but plans for the movie have taken a backseat to work on 'Avatar', Variety said.