‘National Treasure 3’ is officially moving forward, with Nicolas Cage returning as Benjamin Gates and Disney reportedly approving the screenplay.
- Nearly two decades after ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’, one of the most memorable adventure franchises of the 2000s is finally preparing its return to cinemas.
After years of rumours, projects that appeared to be moving forward and long periods without any significant updates, ‘National Treasure 3’ is finally happening. Jon Turteltaub, director of the first two films, has publicly confirmed that the third instalment is becoming a reality and that Nicolas Cage will return as Benjamin Gates.
Turteltaub revealed the news during a live event for the National Treasure Hunt podcast, held in Philadelphia on Friday, 21 August. “I haven’t said anything until now, but you deserve to have the exclusive,” the filmmaker told those attending before confirming that the movie “is happening”.
- Disney has reportedly already approved the screenplay
The project also appears to be considerably further along than recent reports surrounding the franchise might have suggested. According to Turteltaub, a screenplay has already been approved by both the director and Disney, although no details about Benjamin Gates’ next adventure have been revealed and there is currently no announced release date.
The filmmaker also suggested that the intention is to reunite as much of the original National Treasure cast as possible. “To the extent that we can, everyone is coming back,” he said.
That could potentially open the door for the return of Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha and Jon Voight, although Nicolas Cage is currently the only cast member whose involvement Turteltaub has explicitly confirmed.
The director nevertheless stressed that this remains a Hollywood project and circumstances could change before cameras actually begin rolling. “It’s finally real. Now, it’s Hollywood real, which means things can happen,” he joked.
- Nearly two decades of waiting for ‘National Treasure 3’
The original ‘National Treasure’ arrived in cinemas in 2004 and introduced audiences to Benjamin Gates, a historian and treasure hunter convinced that some of history’s greatest fortunes remain hidden behind clues concealed within American documents, landmarks and monuments.
Its success prompted Disney to release ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’ in 2007, once again starring Cage and featuring new additions to the cast including Helen Mirren, Ed Harris and Bruce Greenwood.
Since then, a third film has become one of those projects that repeatedly returned to the conversation without ever fully materialising. Over the years, different reports suggested that development was continuing, but fans were left waiting for definitive confirmation.
Disney+ also attempted to expand the universe in 2022 with the television series ‘National Treasure: Edge of History’, starring Lisette Olivera and Catherine Zeta-Jones. However, the series was cancelled after just one season.
Now, almost two decades after Benjamin Gates’ last cinematic adventure, the original franchise finally appears ready to continue. With Nicolas Cage officially expected back, Jon Turteltaub involved and a screenplay reportedly approved by Disney, ‘National Treasure 3’ has taken its most significant step towards becoming a reality.
