Director Jon Turteltaub announced Friday that a script for "National Treasure 3" is finalized and approved by Disney, suggesting that political polarization played a role in the franchise's lengthy hiatus. Turteltaub, who directed the first two films in the Nicolas Cage-led series, "National Treasure" (2004) and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" (2007), revealed the update during a live recording of the "National Treasure Hunt" podcast in Philadelphia.
While the specifics of the plot remain under wraps, Turteltaub indicated that the new film would likely need to incorporate contemporary political themes. He explained that the increasing political divide made it challenging to develop the historical fiction series, citing an observation that some perceived the franchise as inherently partisan. "We have to be very careful, but I don’t feel we are allowed to ignore it," Turteltaub stated. "I think we have to include that idea in the story somehow without making someone feel put off."
Film critic Christian Toto commented on the situation, suggesting that the director's assessment accurately reflected Hollywood's perception of patriotism and the political landscape. Toto noted that it was "a sad sign of the times" for a franchise centered on U.S. history to be viewed as potentially problematic. He added that if the filmmakers can successfully navigate the current political climate, it could result in the franchise's most successful installment.
Turteltaub and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have spoken about a potential third film for years, but production has not yet begun. Turteltaub humorously remarked on the unpredictable nature of Hollywood, stating, "Nic 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."