‘National Treasure 3’ Is Finally Happening, Director Jon Turteltaub Confirms

After nearly two decades of waiting, National Treasure 3 is finally moving forward. Director Jon Turteltaub, who helmed the first two movies, recently confirmed that the long-awaited third installment of Disney’s adventure franchise is now “finally real.” The update gives fans fresh hope that Nicolas Cage could return as treasure hunter Benjamin Gates.

Turteltaub shared the news during a live taping of the National Treasure Hunt podcast in Philadelphia. He revealed that the filmmakers now have a screenplay that has Disney’s backing, marking a major step forward after years of development delays.

For years, National Treasure 3 remained stuck in development. However, Turteltaub’s latest comments suggest the project has cleared one of its biggest hurdles.

The director said the filmmakers and producers have settled on a script they are happy with, while Disney has shown that it is willing to move the project forward.

Turteltaub cautiously described the movie as “Hollywood real,” acknowledging that plans can still change before production begins. Still, his comments suggest that the sequel has reached a more serious stage than it has in years.

The biggest question surrounding National Treasure 3 remains Nicolas Cage’s potential return.

Cage played historian and treasure hunter Benjamin Gates in both previous movies. His character became the heart of the franchise, making his involvement especially important for a third film.

Turteltaub also hinted that the filmmakers hope to reunite members of the original cast, saying that “to whatever extent we can, everyone’s back.” Although Cage has not officially confirmed his return, the director’s comments will likely fuel speculation that Benjamin Gates could soon begin another treasure hunt.

The original National Treasure arrived in theaters in 2004. The film followed Benjamin Gates as he investigated historical clues and searched for a legendary treasure connected to American history. The movie also starred Diane Kruger as archivist Abigail Chase and Justin Bartha as Gates’ technology expert and friend Riley Poole.

The sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, followed in 2007 and sent Gates on another globe-trotting adventure. While critics gave both movies mixed reviews, audiences embraced the franchise. Over time, the films developed a loyal fan base that has continued to campaign for another sequel.

Disney attempted to expand the National Treasure universe with the 2022 Disney+ series National Treasure: Edge of History.

The series introduced a new group of characters while continuing the franchise’s focus on historical mysteries, hidden clues and legendary treasures. However, the theatrical sequel remained a priority for producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

With Turteltaub now confirming that Disney supports the latest screenplay, National Treasure 3 appears to have taken another significant step toward production. Fans should not expect to see National Treasure 3 in theaters immediately.

Disney has not announced an official release date, while production and filming details remain under wraps. The studio has also yet to officially confirm the full cast.

For now, the biggest development is the screenplay. After years of stalled plans, the filmmakers finally have a script that they believe in and that Disney is willing to consider moving forward.

That does not guarantee that cameras will start rolling immediately, but it gives National Treasure 3 something it has been missing for years: real momentum.

And if Nicolas Cage ultimately returns as Benjamin Gates, the franchise could finally deliver the treasure-hunting adventure fans have been waiting for since 2007.