The National Treasure franchise is officially back in active development. Nearly two decades after the second film's release in 2007, director Jon Turteltaub has confirmed that the long-awaited third installment has received the "green light" from Disney. The director shared this news on a special live podcast, National Treasure Hunt, held in Philadelphia, where he told fans that the project has finally moved from years of discussion into actual production.
Script Is Ready and Approved by the Studio
According to Turteltaub, the creators already have a fully completed script in hand, one that satisfied Disney and was officially approved. This is a key milestone, as the prolonged stall at the script development stage over the years was the main reason the sequel could not get off the ground. Now, according to the director, the project has been legally and production-wise launched, a fact corroborated by several independent industry sources.
Nicolas Cage Returns to the Iconic Role
The headline news for franchise fans is Nicolas Cage's return to the role of Ben Gates. Turteltaub noted that the team, led by the actor, plans to return to their iconic characters, meaning the original cast lineup will be preserved rather than a reboot with a new ensemble. For fans who grew up on Gates' adventures, this means continuity of the story rather than its replacement.
Why the Sequel Took Nearly Two Decades
The director candidly explained the reasons behind the long delay: beyond the typical Hollywood production hurdles, the team needed time to carefully and thoughtfully weave modern realities and current social themes into the plot without losing the spirit of the classic adventure. It was precisely this need to strike a balance between the original's legacy and modernity, according to Turteltaub, that dictated the pace of the script's development.
What This Means for the Franchise
Launching National Treasure 3 into production closes out one of the longest "stalled" projects in the adventure blockbuster genre. For Disney, it is a return to a recognizable brand with a proven audience; for viewers, it is a chance to see the continuation of a story fans have been waiting for since 2007. At this point, exact filming and release dates have not been revealed, but the fact that the script has been approved and the cast confirmed brings the project closer to realization than ever.
