‘National Treasure 3’ Is Officially Happening as Director Discusses Political Themes

Nostalgia-driven sequels have become a staple in Hollywood, but few franchises have kept fans waiting as long as this one. Nearly two decades have passed since audiences last saw Nicolas Cage’s Ben Gates unraveling historical conspiracies, and for years, discussions about a third installment felt more like a dream than a reality.

That waiting game finally came to an end over the weekend in an unexpected setting. During Philadelphia’s inaugural National Treasure Weekend, director Jon Turteltaub participated in a live taping of the National Treasure Hunt podcast and shared the news the crowd had been eagerly anticipating since the franchise’s 2007 sequel.

Turteltaub confirmed that ‘National Treasure 3’ is officially in the works, revealing that the film now has a completed script that he has personally approved, and that Disney has given it the green light in principle. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the audience sat in stunned silence for a moment before erupting into applause as the announcement sank in, with Turteltaub noting they were the first to hear this news live.

In addition to the long-awaited confirmation, Turteltaub discussed why the third film has taken so long to come to fruition, attributing it to the changing political landscape. He explained that the script will need to confront modern political polarization directly, rather than avoiding it, marking a significant shift for a series that has typically embraced bipartisan, feel-good patriotism.

Turteltaub shared an anecdote involving former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who once called him to request a private congressional screening of the original film, reportedly surprised that a movie perceived as patriotic was created by filmmakers he assumed leaned Democratic. According to Turteltaub, the tendency to assign political significance to everything has only intensified since the franchise’s inception, making it increasingly challenging to keep the narrative entirely apolitical.

Discussing how the new script will navigate this reality, Turteltaub stated that the filmmakers must tread carefully, but he believes they cannot ignore the issue altogether. He emphasized that the story needs to incorporate these themes without alienating any particular audience, a delicate balance for a franchise that has historically prided itself on being enjoyable for both sides of the political spectrum without feeling preachy.

Beyond the political discourse, Turteltaub provided a few additional updates on the project. He confirmed that, as scheduling permits, the original cast is expected to return, placing Cage back at the forefront of the franchise as Ben Gates. However, he refrained from divulging specific plot details or confirming whether any scenes would be set in Philadelphia, despite the announcement’s connection to the city.

Turteltaub also injected some humor into the update, joking that the project remains “Hollywood real” rather than a sure thing, quipping that if Cage were to get hit by a bus, there’d be no third film, but if he himself were to meet the same fate, the movie would likely still proceed. It’s a light-hearted acknowledgment of how many productions stall out even after reaching this stage of development.

The original ‘National Treasure’ films collectively grossed $806 million worldwide, with the Disney+ spinoff series ‘National Treasure: Edge of History’ canceled after just one season in 2022, making this theatrical revival feel like the franchise’s most significant next step in years.

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