Billy Elliot was a big hit for BBC Films

Alan Yentob, who is the BBC's director of drama and entertainment, said more big budget films are being planned.

He said: "A key part of our strategy is to pair American talent with British talent, so that we can draw on the Hollywood experience to make quality films with international appeal."

The film is written by Steve Moffat, who is behind the award-winning BBC Two sitcom Coupling.

Pledge

Head of BBC Films, David Thompson, said the company will also continue to produce smaller budget movies.

He said: "Me Again is the first of our larger budget, more ambitious films.

"At the same time we will continue to make smaller budget films such as Billy Elliot and Iris."

Other big budget movies being developed by BBC Films include Mary, Queen of Scots, written by Jimmy McGovern and The Assumption, scripted by Anthony Minghella and Leigh Jackson.

Last summer BBC Films signed a �105m deal with the Cobalt Media Group to make bigger budget films.

Although Willis' movie is not part of that deal, the BBC is aiming to become a major player in international feature film production, making movies with budgets of more than �8m.

Cobalt Media Group is a London and Beverley Hills-based financing, sales and distribution company.

In the past it has financed films such as Chicken Run and The World Is Not Enough.