Archive · 23 Aug 2026
National Treasure 3 Moves Forward, Director Confirms Development
A third National Treasure movie is being planned.
Director Jon Turteltaub announced this at a live podcast recording in Philadelphia.
He said a script has received a positive response from him and Disney.
The filmmakers hope to bring back many of the original actors.
Nicolas Cage could return as treasure hunter Ben Gates.
The first movie came out in 2004, and its sequel came out in 2007.
Together, the films made hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide.
Turteltaub warned that the project is not completely guaranteed because plans in Hollywood can change.
Director Jon Turteltaub confirmed that National Treasure 3 is in development.
Turteltaub said he and Disney responded positively to a new script.
The filmmakers hope to bring back as much of the principal cast as possible.
Nicolas Cage may reprise his role as treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates.
The first two films earned $347 million and $459 million worldwide, respectively.
- Who
- Director Jon Turteltaub confirmed the project; Nicolas Cage and other principal cast members may return.
- What
- National Treasure 3 is in development, with a script that received a positive response from Turteltaub and Disney.
- When
- The confirmation was made during a live recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast; no release date was announced.
- Where
- The announcement was made at a live taping of the National Treasure Hunt podcast in Philadelphia.
- Why
- The filmmakers are developing another installment of the National Treasure franchise and hope to reunite its principal cast.
- Director
- Jon Turteltaub directed the first two National Treasure films and confirmed the third film’s development.
- Potential lead
- Nicolas Cage may return as historian and treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates.
- Script status
- Turteltaub said a script received a positive response from him and Disney.
- First film
- National Treasure was released in 2004 and grossed $347 million worldwide theatrically.
- Sequel
- National Treasure: The Book of Secrets was released in 2007 and grossed $459 million worldwide.
- Television series
- National Treasure: Edge of History premiered on Disney+ in 2022 and was canceled after one season.
- Project certainty
- Turteltaub described the project as “Hollywood real,” meaning plans could still change.
