National Treasure 3: Will It Happen? Everything We Know

Summary Producer Jerry Bruckheimer offers an optimistic update on National Treasure 3's development.

A script for National Treasure 3 is in the works, with plans for Cage to return if he likes it.

The fate of National Treasure 3 depends on Nicolas Cage's return and the plot remains a mystery.

The long-gestating sequel to the National Treasure series has been in high demand from fans for years, but will Disney ever produce National Treasure 3? Debuting in 2004 with the release of the eponymous film, the series follows historian Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) who hunts the globe for artifacts pertaining to early American history and uncovers a cryptic series of clues that lead back to the country's founding. Deftly mixing action and adventure, the National Treasure series stands as a modern-day answer to movies like Indiana Jones.

The 2004 film naturally spawned a sequel in 2007, and Book of Secrets seemed poised to turn the Disney film series into a franchise. Though neither film was liked by critics, both were box office hits and a second sequel seemed imminent. However, years passed without a new addition to the Nic Cage vehicle, and Cage was not in 2022's National Treasure: Edge of History TV series. Though this seemingly spells doom for National Treasure 3, a steady flow of news regarding the sequel has been coming in recent years, and it isn't entirely off the table.

Related All Nicolas Cage Easter Eggs In National Treasure: Edge of History Nicolas Cage doesn't appear in National Treasure: Edge of History, but the TV show takes place in the same universe and has Benjamin Gates references.

National Treasure 3 Latest News

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Though the content of the script is still a secret, its success will make or break the project.

With hope being kept alive by recent updates, the latest news comes in the form of a National Treasure 3 script update from the original director. Jon Turteltaub helmed the classic National Treasure movies and spoke candidly about the ongoing development of the highly-anticipated threequel. Reiterating that it is still in the script phase, Turteltaub was also quick to point out that the movie may never actually move forward if the script isn't good enough. Though the content of the script is still a secret, its success will make or break the project.

Read Turteltaub's full comments below:

“It’s being written. That doesn’t mean it will be finished and be great, but if it’s being written it will definitely be momentous when we read it. We all know what’s in it. But there’s a very, very good writer writing it right now who tends to write really good movies. If the script comes out close to good and you can see the finish line from where you are, we’re making the movie.”

National Treasure 3 Is Confirmed In Development

A Script Is In The Works

Talk of a sequel to National Treasure 2 has been swirling since 2007, but the film has never advanced past the development stage despite nearly two decades of work. More recent updates have been uncertain, as stars like Nicolas Cage shot down National Treasure 3 hopes, while producer Jerry Bruckheimer offered a much rosier view. The failure of National Treasure: Edge of History doesn't necessarily exclude a third movie from happening, since the lack of Nic Cage was probably the biggest reason why the Disney+ series didn't work.

National Treasure: Edge of History ran for one season on Disney+ before being canceled.

Jerry Bruckheimer has announced that a script is in the works, but only time will tell if it gets further than the development stage. Disney has been keen on keeping their 2000s live-action franchises alive in the 2020s, and Bruckheimer is still on hand to spearhead those projects much in the same way he led the charge in the aughts. Original director Jon Turteltaub reiterated that the project is still in the script phase, mentioning that the quality of the screenplay will determine if the movie gets made or not.

See where to watch the National Treasure franchise below:

Movie Or Show Release Year Where To Watch National Treasure 2004 Stream on Disney+ National Treasure: Book of Secrets 2007 Stream on Disney+ National Treasure: Edge of History 2022 Stream on Disney+

National Treasure 3 Cast

Will Nicolas Cage Return?

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The fate of National Treasure 3 depends on the cast, and a sequel without Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates is essentially a lost cause. Cage returned for the blockbuster sequel, but he was not on hand for Disney+'s lackluster Edge of History TV series in 2022, and that is likely why it failed. Though Cage has never been particularly choosy with his projects, he seemingly has no desire to return to work with Disney again and seems content doing smaller movies that allow him to stretch his range.

Other cast returns are equally unknown, and the first two movies had a consistent ensemble that helped supplement Cage's star power. Justin Bartha appeared in both films as Ben's sidekick, Riley Poole, and the team was rounded out by Dr. Abigail Chase, played by Diane Kruger. Bartha reprised his role in Edge of History and called his National Treasure 3 return a "no-brainer" (via People). Diane Kruger hasn't weighed in on another sequel, but she continues to work frequently in movies and TV.

Related 10 Wildest Nicolas Cage Movie Performances Between Ghost Rider, Caster Troy, and even himself, Cage has so many performances under his belt that are untethered, energetic, and completely wild.

National Treasure 3 Story

What Could The Next Adventure Be?

Nothing is certain about the plot of National Treasure 3, but there have been a few clues planted throughout the franchise. Each movie and show has dealt with an artifact that links American history to some secret society or conspiracy, and a long-awaited legacy sequel like National Treasure 3 would surely follow the same trend. One ongoing mystery pertains to what is on page 47 of the President's Book of Secrets, which was first introduced in the 2007 sequel. This could send the gang on any number of exciting adventures, or National Treasure 3 could cook up something entirely new as well.