Nearly two decades after the last film hit theaters, National Treasure 3 is officially moving forward. Director Jon Turteltaub made the surprise announcement during a live event in Philadelphia on August 21, 2026, confirming that Nicolas Cage will return as treasure hunter Benjamin Gates.
The director broke the news to fans at the inaugural National Treasure Weekend event, telling the crowd at the Philadelphia Visitor Center that a third installment is now in active development. Turteltaub shared the update during a live recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast, marking the first time he had publicly spoken about the project.
“It’s happening. You’re the first people I have said this out loud to.”
Director Confirms Script Approved by Disney
Turteltaub revealed that a screenplay for National Treasure 3 has been written and approved by both him and Disney. The studio reportedly responded positively, telling the director that the script “sounds like a movie we can make.”
While the project has received the green light from the studio, Turteltaub cautioned that nothing is guaranteed until production actually begins. He described the current status as “Hollywood real,” acknowledging that plans can change in the entertainment industry.
“It’s finally real. Now, it’s Hollywood real, meaning things could happen. 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.”
The director also indicated that the filmmakers are aiming to bring back as much of the original cast as possible. “To whatever extent we can, everyone’s back,” Turteltaub said.
Nicolas Cage Returns as Benjamin Gates
Nicolas Cage is expected to reprise his beloved role as Benjamin Franklin Gates, the historian and treasure hunter who stole the Declaration of Independence in the 2004 original. Cage has been the face of the franchise since its beginning, and his return marks a major victory for fans who have waited nearly two decades for another adventure.
The 62-year-old actor had previously dismissed the possibility of a third film. In a 2024 interview with Screen Rant, Cage flatly stated, “No, there is no National Treasure 3.” His comments had led many fans to lose hope that the franchise would ever continue on the big screen.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who has been involved with the franchise from the start, has also given his blessing to the new script. Bruckheimer had previously offered optimistic updates, telling E! News in 2022 that the team was developing another National Treasure project for theaters with Cage.
Original Cast Expected to Reunite
While official cast announcements have not been made, Turteltaub’s comments suggest that fan-favorite characters could return. The original 2004 film starred Cage alongside Diane Kruger as Dr. Abigail Chase and Justin Bartha as Riley Poole.
Jon Voight and Harvey Keitel also appeared in both previous films, with Sean Bean rounding out the supporting cast in the first installment. The 2007 sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, brought back the core cast and added Helen Mirren, Ed Harris, and Bruce Greenwood to the franchise.
The second film introduced the Book of Secrets, a classified collection of confidential information passed between U.S. presidents. At the end of the movie, President Bruce Greenwood tells Ben to check out Page 47, which Ben describes as “life-altering” without revealing its contents. Audiences have been waiting 19 years to learn what was on that page.
Long Road to Production
The National Treasure franchise began in 2004, when the first film grossed $347 million worldwide on a $100 million budget. The sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, performed even better, earning $459 million globally in 2007. Together, the two films have grossed over $806 million at the worldwide box office.
Despite the franchise’s commercial success, a third theatrical installment remained stuck in development for nearly 20 years. Disney+ released a spinoff series titled National Treasure: Edge of History in 2022, which featured appearances from Bartha and Keitel and referenced the Page 47 mystery. The show ran for only one season before being canceled.
Director Turteltaub addressed why the third film took so long to materialize, citing the changing political climate as a factor. He noted that the franchise’s patriotic premise had become more complicated to navigate over the years.
“We have to be very careful, but I don’t feel we are allowed to ignore it. I think we have to include that idea in the story somehow without making someone feel put off.”
Fans React to the Announcement
Social media erupted with excitement following Turteltaub’s announcement. On the National Treasure Hunt podcast’s Instagram post, fans shared their enthusiasm for the long-awaited sequel.
“MY LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME! Thank you guys!”
“This is the greatest day of my life.”
However, some fans remained cautious, given the project’s long history of false starts. One user commented, “We’ve been hearing this for years though that a script is being written, so I’ll believe it when I see filming begin.”
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No Release Date Yet
While National Treasure 3 is officially in development, the film has not yet begun production. No release date or production schedule has been announced. The project remains in its early stages, with Turteltaub confirming that a script has been completed and approved but filming has not started.
Cage has a busy schedule ahead. He is set to star as legendary NFL coach John Madden in the biographical drama Madden, directed by David O. Russell and scheduled for release on November 18, 2026. He is also returning to voice Spider-Noir in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse and has completed filming on Lords of War, a sequel to his 2005 crime film.
The two original National Treasure films are available to stream on Disney+. A release date for National Treasure 3 will be announced once production begins.
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