National Treasure director Jon Turteltaub has confirmed that a third instalment in the adventure franchise is finally in the works.
The movie, which comes 22 years after the original and nearly two decades after its sequel, has long been rumoured but has been in development hell for decades.
However, speaking at a live recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast in Philadelphia on Friday (21 August), Turteltaub said: “It’s happening. You’re the first people I’ve said this out loud to."
Turteltaub also confirmed that Nicolas Cage is expected to return, but noted that obstacles could still prevent the film from moving forward.
He said: "I have not said anything before this, but you deserve to have the scoop. It’s finally real. Now, it’s ‘Hollywood real,’ meaning things could happen. Nic [Cage] 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.”
Turteltaub also confirmed that Disney has approved a script.
The first National Treasure film was released in 2004, following Cage’s historian Ben Gates, who attempts to steal the Declaration of Independence to get his hands on ancient treasure.
The film was a huge box-office success, leading to the 2007 follow-up, National Treasure: The Book of Secrets.
The franchise also expanded in 2022 with a TV show titled National Treasure: Edge of History, but this was axed after just one season.
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National Treasure 3 was initially announced in 2008 but has had many false starts over the years.
Cage told fans during a Reddit AMA in 2022 that a third movie likely wasn’t on the cards. “No, the priority was to turn it into a TV show so I would say probably not,” he said.
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