WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Director James Cameron says the next “Avatar” movie has been delayed by one year and will now be released in late 2017.

Cameron is working on three sequels to “Avatar” which he plans to release over consecutive years. The first was due in late 2016.

But he says the writing process has been “very involved” and that the initial target date was probably too ambitious.

Cameron spoke Wednesday in New Zealand, where he was helping promote the local film industry with other directors including Peter Jackson.

Released in 2009, “Avatar” became the highest-grossing film in history, with a box office take of nearly $2.8 billion. It won three Academy Awards.