National Treasure 3 Names Its Director, Setting the Stage for Nicolas Cage’s Big Return
The hunt is back on: Disney has locked in a director for National Treasure 3, putting Nicolas Cage’s Benjamin Franklin Gates on a new chase nearly two decades after the 2004 original.
National Treasure 3 just took a real step forward. It is not a greenlight, but producer Jerry Bruckheimer says the long-discussed sequel is finally inching toward the starting line, with the original director and star lined up to return. Yes, that means more Nicolas Cage solving puzzles and outrunning history.
The update
'We're getting closer on that one.'
That is Bruckheimer to TheWrap on where National Treasure 3 stands right now. He also says the plan is for Jon Turteltaub to direct again and for Nicolas Cage to come back as Benjamin Franklin Gates. Past that, details are thin. The movie is still in development, which is producer-speak for: it exists, but do not expect a release date anytime soon.
Quick refresher: the treasure map so far
- 2004: National Treasure (Walt Disney Pictures). Director: Jon Turteltaub. Cast: Nicolas Cage (Benjamin Franklin Gates), Sean Bean (Ian Howe), Diane Kruger (Dr. Abigail Chase), Justin Bartha (Riley Poole), Harvey Keitel (Agent Peter Sandusky), Jon Voight (Patrick Henry Gates). Box office: about $347.5 million worldwide.
- 2007: National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Turteltaub returns; Cage is back. New cast includes Ed Harris (Mitch Wilkinson) and Helen Mirren (Dr. Emily Appleton-Gates). Box office: roughly $459.2 million worldwide.
- 2022: Disney+ spinoff series National Treasure: Edge of History. Cage did not appear. It premiered, ran one season, and was canceled.
So why the sudden movement?
This is a bit of inside baseball: Bruckheimer says taking the brand to TV was never meant to replace the movies. It was about keeping the name in circulation and reminding people the franchise exists. Mission accomplished, apparently, because now the goal is to get the original team back together for a proper third film.
What to expect (for now)
Turteltaub is the intended director. Cage is expected to return. No plot details, no start date, no casting beyond that, and no release window yet. It is the definition of early days.
Where to watch in the meantime
Both National Treasure movies and National Treasure: Edge of History are streaming on Disney+. If National Treasure 3 actually locks in a script and schedule, I will be the first one muttering 'they are going to steal the Declaration of Independence' under my breath again.