Avatar has become the second highest-grossing movie of all time, just 21 days after release. James Cameron’s 3D blockbuster is thought to have surpassed the box office totals of Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King. Avatar’s worldwide gross now stands at more than $1.12 billion. Cameron is now competing against himself for the number one spot. His 1997 film Titanic pulled in $1.84 billion on its theatrical release. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and The Dark Knight stand at numbers four and five respectively on the all-time box office list.

In addition to box office success, FX Network has landed the basic cable rights to James Cameron’s “Avatar.” While terms of the FX deal weren’t disclosed, it looks to be more than the standard pact, with FX laying out an estimated $25 million-$30 million. FX can begin airing “Avatar” toward the middle of 2012 and will likely have a window that extends toward the end of the decade. Most deals last four years but, negotiations allowed for an extended window.

As part of its output deal with Fox, HBO will have the pay cable rights and air Avatar before FX.