For years, National Treasure 3 looked like a Hollywood dead end. Now, the long-dormant treasure hunt has suddenly found a pulse, even though Nicolas Cage once flatly dismissed the possibility of returning to the franchise.
National Treasure 3 is happening after all
The surprise comes from director Jon Turteltaub, who recently revealed during a live recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast in Philadelphia that a third movie has moved into active development. Turteltaub said Disney approved the screenplay and described National Treasure 3 as “finally real.”
He also joked that Hollywood could still derail everything, pointing out that Cage’s involvement remains an important requirement. “Nic gets hit by a bus; there’s no National Treasure. If I get hit by a bus, there’s probably a National Treasure. Welcome to Hollywood, that’s Hollywood,” Turteltaub said.
Turteltaub’s announcement clashes sharply with comments Cage made during a 2024 interview with ScreenRant. Asked whether audiences could expect another installment, the actor answered, “No, there is no National Treasure 3.” Cage even joked that anyone searching for treasure should not bother looking at Disney.
At the time, the franchise appeared to have run out of road. That picture has changed. Turteltaub, who also directed National Treasure: Book of Secrets, said the creative team now has a screenplay he likes, while Disney reportedly considers it a “movie we can make.”
The franchise certainly has plenty of history to build on. Cage played historian and treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates, whose first big chase involved stealing the Declaration of Independence to uncover a legendary fortune before his rival could reach it. The first two movies earned more than $800 million worldwide, giving Disney plenty of reason to keep the hunt alive. A Disney+ spinoff, National Treasure: Edge of History, arrived in 2022 but lasted only one season.
Turteltaub’s revelation does not erase Cage’s previous refusal, but it does reopen a door fans thought had slammed shut. For now, the script exists, Disney has shown support, and the director says the project is real. Whether Cage walks back his old answer could determine how far this comeback actually goes.