A third installment in the "National Treasure" film franchise is officially in development, according to director Jon Turteltaub. The filmmaker announced the news Friday night during a live taping of the National Treasure Hunt podcast in Philadelphia.
"It’s happening. You’re the first people I’ve said this out loud to," Turteltaub told the audience. "It’s finally real. Now, it’s ‘Hollywood real,’ meaning things could happen. Nic [Cage] gets hit by a bus, there’s no National Treasure 3. If I get hit by a bus, there’s probably a National Treasure 3. Welcome to Hollywood."
Turteltaub also shared that the project has a script he is pleased with, which Disney has also approved. "We finally have a script that I like," he said, adding that the studio responded, "OK, this sounds like a movie we can make."
The original "National Treasure" was released in 2004, starring Nicolas Cage as historian and treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates. The film followed Gates as he uncovered clues hidden within the Declaration of Independence to find a legendary treasure. The movie, which also featured Harvey Keitel, Jon Voight, Diane Kruger, Sean Bean, Justin Bartha, and Christopher Plummer, grossed $347 million worldwide.
"National Treasure: Book of Secrets," the 2007 sequel, brought back much of the original cast, including Cage, and added Helen Mirren, Ed Harris, Bruce Greenwood, and Ty Burrell. This installment surpassed its predecessor at the box office, earning $459 million globally.
The franchise expanded to television with "National Treasure: Edge of History," which premiered on Disney+ in 2022. Catherine Zeta-Jones joined the cast, and Justin Bartha and Harvey Keitel reprised their roles from the films. The series concluded after one season.
Details regarding the cast for "National Treasure 3" have not yet been announced, leaving it unclear whether Nicolas Cage will return as Ben Gates. The status of other potential cast members also remains undetermined.