WASHINGTON - News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch said Tuesday there have been "very early" talks with director James Cameron about making a sequel to his box office record-breaking film "Avatar."

Murdoch also said the initial DVD release of "Avatar," which was made by News Corp. studio 20th Century Fox, would not feature the 3-D effects of the movie theater version.

"We certainly plan to release the DVD as soon as possible," he told analysts during a conference call to discuss News Corp.'s second-quarter earnings. "But it is continuing, for a great period it seems, in the cinemas."

Murdoch said that as for a sequel, there have been "very early talks about it" with Cameron and "we'll be pushing for one."

"Jim had ideas for one," he said. "We haven't come to any agreement with him or budget or timing.

"Being Jim Cameron I wouldn't hold your breath for an early one," Murdoch joked in a jibe at the 10 years it took Cameron to make "Avatar."

The sci-fi blockbuster, the most expensive movie ever made and the highest grossing film of all time, was nominated for nine Oscars on Tuesday, including best picture and best director.