Central China's Shennongjia Forest District, the rumored hometown of a Bigfoot-like ape-man, plans to shoot an Avatar-like 3D movie about the district's elusive beast, said a spokesman for the district government's information office Thursday.

The movie, tentatively named "Primary Zone," will cost more than 100 million yuan (about 15 million U.S. dollars) to produce, the spokesman said, adding that a Beijing-based entertainment company will be responsible for film's financing.

Located deep in remote mountains in Hubei Province, the Shennongjia area has long been rumored to be the home of the "Yeren," literally "Wild man."

It is also referred to as "Bigfoot," like the legendary North American ape-man.

Since last century, more than 400 people have claimed to have seen the creature, which is said to walk upright, be over 2 meters tall and have a hairy gray, red and black body. But no hard evidence of the creature's existence has been found.

A group of scientists have said they are considering launching a high-profile search for the mysterious creature. The last organized search for the beast was conducted about 30 years ago.