'Avatar' headed back to theaters

LOS ANGELES, July 8 (UPI) -- Twentieth Century Fox and James Cameron say "Avatar: Special Edition" is to be released in U.S. theaters next month.

The limited engagement screenings are to begin Aug. 27 and will be offered exclusively in Digital 3D and IMAX 3D.

This version of Cameron's epic is expected to include more than eight minutes of new footage.

"Audiences repeatedly told me they wanted more of Pandora, and wished they could have stayed there longer," Cameron said in a statement Thursday. "So we're making that possible. 'Avatar: Special Edition' will be exclusively in 3D, and will have eight minutes of never-before-seen footage, including new creatures and action scenes. Whether you already love the movie, or you've never seen it, with this special edition, you'll be seeing it like never before."

"'Avatar: Special Edition' is especially gratifying, because not only has 'Avatar' become one of the most beloved films in history, but after its initial theatrical release, we have been inundated with requests to re-release the film in theaters in 3D," added Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman. "Equally important, we're thrilled that Jim Cameron is able to give audiences even more of what they loved about 'Avatar.'"

The 2009 Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in more than $2.7 billion in worldwide box office.