‘National Treasure 3’ Is ‘Happening,’ Says Franchise Director Jon Turteltaub
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Director Jon Turteltaub says a third “National Treasure” film is now in development, marking the first public confirmation from a key figure in the franchise. The project could reunite much of the original cast, including Nicolas Cage, although Turteltaub stressed that it remains subject to the uncertainty of Hollywood development.
A script is already being worked on, according to Turteltaub, who announced the news during a live recording of the “National Treasure Hunt” podcast. The 2004 original earned $347 million worldwide, while its 2007 sequel made $459 million; a Disney+ spin-off series, “Edge of History”, lasted one season in 2022. Disney and Cage had not responded to Variety’s requests for comment.
- A third “National Treasure” film is reportedly in development.
- Director Jon Turteltaub says a script is underway.
- The original two films earned $806 million worldwide.
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The “National Treasure” films are adventure stories about Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and treasure hunter played by Nicolas Cage. In the first two films, he follows clues hidden in American history to uncover long-lost treasures, alongside his friends and family.
The original film was released in 2004 and was followed by “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” in 2007. Both were made by Disney and directed by Jon Turteltaub, and their commercial success made them well-known family adventure films.
Talk of a third film has continued for many years, while Disney also tried to extend the franchise with the 2022 streaming series “National Treasure: Edge of History”. Film projects can spend a long time in development, with scripts, casting and studio approval still needed before production begins.
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