Jon Turteltaub Confirms ‘National Treasure 3’ Will Finally Address Page 47 Mystery

‘National Treasure 3‘ has lingered for nearly two decades as one of Hollywood’s most intriguing possibilities. The original film from 2004 grossed $347 million globally, while its sequel, ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’, made $459 million in 2007. Since then, fans have been eagerly anticipating another adventure.

The journey included a detour with ‘National Treasure: Edge of History’, which premiered on Disney+ in 2022 but concluded after just one season. Coverage around the new movie indicates that the streaming reboot did not capture much audience interest, leaving fans hopeful for a big-screen sequel.

Everything changed in late August when director Jon Turteltaub confirmed the project during a live taping of the National Treasure Hunt podcast in Philadelphia. This event was part of the city’s inaugural National Treasure Weekend, a celebration hosted by Disney. Turteltaub told the audience, “It’s finally real. Now, it’s Hollywood real, meaning things could happen.” He noted that this was the first time he had publicly shared this news.

He explained that both he and Disney have approved a screenplay, with the studio expressing interest in a film that can actually be produced. Turteltaub humorously mentioned that the project hinges on Nicolas Cage’s health, as the sequel cannot proceed without him reprising his role as Benjamin Gates.

Cage is the only confirmed cast member at this time. Turteltaub expressed hope that the original cast, including Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Harvey Keitel, and Helen Mirren, would return, but their involvement remains unconfirmed. Fans of the original ensemble will have to wait for official announcements.

As of now, Disney has not made a formal announcement regarding the project, and there is no confirmed production start or release date. Turteltaub also refrained from disclosing whether filming would take place in Philadelphia, despite the city’s significance to the first film.

The Page 47 mystery dates back to the 2007 sequel, which concludes with the President instructing Gates to read Page 47 of the President’s Book of Secrets. The film never reveals the contents of that page, only suggesting it holds life-altering information. The Disney+ series also touched on this unresolved secret.

For years, audiences have debated whether it was merely a throwaway joke or a deliberate setup for a third installment. After nearly 19 years of speculation, it has become one of Disney’s longest-standing unanswered questions.

In recent comments from the National Treasure Hunt podcast, highlighted by CoveredGeekly on October 3, Turteltaub teased that the sequel will finally address Page 47, which has been dangling since 2007. He mentioned that the team feels they cannot create the new film without at least providing some clarity on that mystery.

While this is a cautious promise rather than a firm guarantee, it aligns with the tone of the August announcement, where the podcast episode discussed whether the movie would tackle the famous page. For fans who have been theorizing since 2007, even a partial answer would feel like a significant payoff.

Turteltaub also linked the 22-year gap since the original film to the current polarized political climate in America. He recalled that former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy once requested a private congressional screening, and that both political parties have scrutinized the movie’s patriotic themes along partisan lines.

The new script reportedly addresses these contemporary political divides. Turteltaub emphasized the need for caution but believes they cannot ignore the topic.

Disney declined to comment when Variety inquired about the project, so the sequel remains in its early stages. However, with a studio-approved script, a returning Cage, and a director discussing Page 47 openly, there is more momentum for the franchise than it has seen in years. With Disney reportedly eager to support a new installment following the Disney+ spinoff’s lackluster performance, the pressure is on to deliver a story that justifies the lengthy wait.

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