Cameron plans 3-D character drama

Director James Cameron has revealed he wants to shoot a feature-length "dramatic film" in 3-D.

In an interview with Variety, the Titanic helmer disputed the misconception that 3-D technology can only be used for spectacle films such as Beowulf and U2 3D.

"I plan to shoot a small dramatic film in 3-D, just to prove this point," he said.

Cameron's next film Avatar, his first in over a decade, will be released later in the year and was filmed using the dual-strip 3-D Fusion Camera that he helped create.

He said: "In Avatar, there are a number of scenes that are straight dramatic scenes, no action, no effects. They play very well, and in fact seem to be enhanced by the stereo viewing experience. So I think this can work for the full length of a dramatic feature."

However, the director admitted that bringing smaller scale films to 3-D could pose problems for Hollywood.

"Filmmakers and studios will have to weigh the added cost of shooting in 3-D against the increased marketing value for that type of film," Cameron noted.

James Cameron's Avatar revolves around a paraplegic war veteran who travels to the planet Pandora. On arrival he discovers friction between the people from Earth and the planet's inhabitants.

Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi and Sam Worthington are among the cast.