Nicolas Cage Returns
National Treasure 3 Officially in Development with Nicolas Cage Expected to Return
Key Points
Director Jon Turteltaub publicly confirmed National Treasure 3 is happening during a live Philadelphia National Treasure Hunt event, telling attendees it is 'happening' and that Nicolas Cage will return as Ben Gates, marking the first public disclosure of the project in this setting.
Turteltaub said there is a screenplay approved by him and Disney and that 'to whatever extent we can, everyone’s back,' signaling a potential but not guaranteed full reunion of the original cast.
The TV side of the National Treasure revival was already tested with National Treasure: Edge of History, which premiered on Disney+ in 2022 and was canceled after one season, informing Disney’s ongoing approach to expanding the franchise on television.
Turteltaub reiterated the inherent risks of production with his 'Hollywood real' analogy, including a bus metaphor: 'Nic gets hit by a bus, there’s no National Treasure. If I get hit by a bus, there’s probably a National Treasure,' underscoring why the project remains contingent.
The franchise’s first film was a major box-office success, grossing over $347 million on a budget of about $100 million, illustrating why Disney remains invested in reviving National Treasure despite years of uncertainty.
Disney has officially greenlit National Treasure 3, with Nicolas Cage set to return as Ben Gates, according to director Jon Turteltaub's announcement at a Philadelphia National Treasure Hunt event Vulture. The franchise director confirmed a Disney-approved screenplay exists and said the core cast will return "to whatever extent we can," marking the first public confirmation of the project's development after years of speculation Yahoo News.
Turteltaub cautioned that production faces real risks, using a bus metaphor to explain why the project remains uncertain: "If Nic gets hit by a bus, there's no National Treasure" Archynetys. The announcement comes as Disney pursues a broader strategy to revive legacy franchises, building on the National Treasure films' combined $800 million in global box-office success Yahoo News.
Director Publicly Confirms Project Is "Hollywood Real"
Jon Turteltaub made the announcement during a live taping of the National Treasure Hunt podcast in Philadelphia on August 21 Vulture. He told attendees the film is "happening" and described it as "Hollywood real" — meaning it has moved past development talk into actual production status Archynetys. The director said a screenplay has been completed and approved by both him and Disney Yahoo News.
Cast Reunion Planned But Not Guaranteed
Nicolas Cage is confirmed to reprise his role as treasure hunter Ben Gates Hollywood Outbreak. Turteltaub signaled that other original cast members — including Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, and Sean Bean — are being brought back to varying degrees Yahoo News. However, no formal commitments have been announced, and release dates remain undecided.
Disney's Strategy to Revive Beloved Franchises
National Treasure 3 fits Disney's broader effort to refresh legacy franchises by tapping into nostalgia and fan demand Archynetys. The original National Treasure grossed over $347 million globally on a $100 million budget, demonstrating why the studio remains invested in the series Yahoo News. Disney previously tested television expansion with National Treasure: Edge of History on Disney+, which premiered in 2022 but was canceled after one season Vulture.
Production Hurdles Could Still Derail the Project
Turteltaub's "bus metaphor" underscores the contingencies at play. "If I get hit by a bus, there's probably a National Treasure," he said, suggesting key personnel losses could threaten the film Vulture. Scheduling conflicts, actor availability, and production delays remain unresolved obstacles that could push timelines or alter the final project Archynetys. Fans celebrated the news at the Philadelphia event, but exact ensemble casting and release dates depend on clearing these hurdles.
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