For years, National Treasure 3 seemed like one of Hollywood’s great unfinished adventures. The first two movies turned Nicolas Cage’s Benjamin Gates into a memorable treasure hunter, but the franchise remained stuck after National Treasure: Book of Secrets arrived in 2007. Now, the long-awaited sequel has taken a major step forward.
Director Jon Turteltaub has confirmed that a third National Treasure movie is moving forward. During a live recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast in Philadelphia on August 21, 2026, Turteltaub revealed that a screenplay exists that he and Disney like. He also indicated that Nicolas Cage is expected to return as Ben Gates.
The update marks the clearest sign yet that the franchise could finally return to the big screen. For years, fans received occasional updates about another installment, but the project never reached production. This time, the confirmation comes directly from the director who helmed the first two films.
There is still an important caveat. Turteltaub described the project as “Hollywood real,” meaning it has moved into a serious stage of development but remains subject to change. There is currently no confirmed release date, filming date, trailer, or complete cast announcement.
National Treasure 3 Is Finally Moving Forward
The biggest development is simple: National Treasure 3 is no longer just a long-running fan hope. Turteltaub has publicly confirmed that the film is moving ahead.
The announcement came at Philadelphia’s first National Treasure weekend, a fitting location for the news because the city played a major role in the original movie. The live podcast event brought Turteltaub together with National Treasure Hunt hosts Aubrey Paris and Emily Black, where he revealed the sequel’s current status to an audience that had been waiting years for an update.
Turteltaub’s comments also suggest that the project has progressed beyond a vague studio idea. He said there is a screenplay that he and Disney like. That detail matters because a script with studio support gives the sequel a more concrete foundation than the rumors and development reports that surrounded the franchise for much of the past two decades.
Still, fans should not interpret the announcement as proof that cameras are about to roll. Hollywood projects can change during casting, financing, scheduling, rewrites, and production planning. Turteltaub himself acknowledged that uncertainty when describing the movie as “Hollywood real.”
For now, the clearest takeaway is that Disney has a National Treasure 3 script it supports, Turteltaub is attached to the project, and the filmmakers are working toward bringing the franchise back.
Is Nicolas Cage Returning for National Treasure 3?
For fans, the most important question is whether Nicolas Cage will once again play Benjamin Franklin Gates. The answer appears to be yes.
Turteltaub indicated that Cage is part of the plan for the third movie and said that, as far as possible, the filmmakers want to bring back the original cast. Entertainment Weekly likewise reported that Cage is expected to reprise his role as the history-loving treasure hunter.
That return is particularly significant because Cage’s involvement had looked uncertain for years. Without Ben Gates at the center, a new National Treasure movie would have faced the difficult task of continuing the franchise without its defining star.
Instead, the current direction appears to preserve the character who made the movies recognizable. Ben Gates was not a traditional action hero. He was a historian, researcher, and puzzle solver who could turn obscure historical clues into the next step of an elaborate treasure hunt. Cage’s performance helped give the character the eccentric energy that separated National Treasure from more conventional adventure franchises.
The latest news does not mean every detail of Cage’s deal has been publicly finalized. The broader cast also remains subject to confirmation. However, Turteltaub’s comments make it clear that the filmmakers are planning the sequel around the return of the original franchise’s central figure.
That is arguably the most important piece of the National Treasure 3 puzzle. After nearly two decades, the story is not being revived as a completely separate reboot. The current plan points toward another chapter for Ben Gates.
Nicolas Cage’s History With the Sequel
Cage’s return is especially notable because the actor previously expressed doubts that another National Treasure movie would ever happen.
That uncertainty helped shape the franchise’s reputation over the years. Fans continued to ask about a third movie, while the project remained caught between development attempts and changing studio priorities. At one point, Cage publicly suggested that National Treasure 3 was not happening, making the latest announcement an especially dramatic reversal.
The situation has clearly changed since those earlier comments. Turteltaub’s new confirmation puts Cage back at the center of the conversation and gives the franchise a path forward that fans had largely stopped expecting.
Even so, the safest way to describe his involvement right now is that he is expected to return rather than claiming that every contractual detail has been publicly announced. That distinction matters because the movie remains in development.
If everything proceeds as Turteltaub hopes, audiences could eventually see Cage back in the role that began with Ben Gates chasing historical clues across the United States in 2004. For a franchise that has spent so long waiting for its next chapter, that possibility alone represents a major development.
What Jon Turteltaub Confirmed About National Treasure 3
The latest update gives National Treasure 3 a much stronger foundation than it has had in years. Jon Turteltaub confirmed that the movie is moving forward and that a screenplay exists that both he and Disney like. That means the project has reached a meaningful development stage, rather than remaining only a concept discussed by the cast and producers.
Turteltaub also indicated that Nicolas Cage remains part of the plan. More importantly, he wants to reunite as much of the original team as possible. That approach suggests the sequel will continue the established movie franchise instead of functioning as a reboot with an unrelated treasure hunter.
At the same time, Turteltaub’s description of the movie as “Hollywood real” is an important qualification. The project exists, but major steps still remain before production can begin. A screenplay can receive support while a studio and filmmakers continue working through casting, scheduling, financing, rewrites, and other production decisions.
For fans, however, the difference is significant. Previous updates often centered on hopes, scripts in development, or comments about whether another movie might happen. This time, the director has publicly stated that the project is moving forward and that Disney likes the screenplay.
That makes National Treasure 3 a genuine active development story, even though it is not yet a finished production.
Is the National Treasure 3 Script Finished?
The current reporting indicates that a screenplay exists and has the support of both Turteltaub and Disney. That is one of the strongest details from the new announcement because the story has spent years cycling through development without reaching the screen.
However, having an approved screenplay does not mean the final shooting script cannot change. Major studio movies frequently undergo revisions before and during production. Casting decisions, locations, budget requirements, scheduling, and studio notes can all affect a screenplay.
The identity of the complete writing team for the current version also deserves caution. The writers who created the first two National Treasure films previously said they were not involved with the third movie’s development.
Therefore, the safest current description is that National Treasure 3 has a screenplay that Turteltaub and Disney support. The exact final production script, credits, and additional creative changes should be treated as information still subject to confirmation.
National Treasure 3 Release Date: What We Know
There is currently no confirmed release date for National Treasure 3. The August 2026 announcement establishes that the movie is moving forward, but neither Turteltaub nor the current reporting provides a theatrical premiere date.
There is also no confirmed filming start date. That distinction matters because readers may naturally assume that a public confirmation means production is imminent. In reality, the project still needs to move through several stages before cameras can begin.
The next major milestones will likely include finalizing the screenplay, confirming the principal cast, locking schedules, completing production planning, and determining when filming can take place. Once those pieces fall into place, Disney can eventually announce a formal release strategy.
For now, any specific year or month would be speculation. The same applies to social-media posts claiming that the film already has a release date. Those claims should not be treated as official unless Disney or the filmmakers confirm them.
Like other upcoming movies, including Wicker, National Treasure 3 will need an official release announcement before a firm date can be treated as confirmed.
The absence of a date does not diminish the importance of the announcement. In fact, after years of uncertainty, getting the project to an active development stage is the major story.
When Could National Treasure 3 Start Filming?
A filming date remains unknown, and there are several reasons why predicting one would be premature.
First, the filmmakers still need to turn the current screenplay into a production-ready plan. Second, the cast must coordinate schedules. Cage’s return is central to the project, while Turteltaub has expressed a desire to bring back as much of the original cast as possible.
The movie would also require locations, sets, crew, visual effects planning, insurance, budgeting, and other logistical decisions. A treasure-hunt adventure can involve substantial location work, so those preparations may take time.
For that reason, fans should view the August 2026 announcement as the beginning of a more credible production phase rather than a signal that filming is immediately around the corner.
National Treasure 3 Cast: Who Could Return?
Nicolas Cage is the clearest returning name connected to the project. Turteltaub has also said he wants the original cast back “to whatever extent we can,” suggesting that the filmmakers would prefer a reunion rather than rebuilding the franchise around an entirely new ensemble.
That opens the door for familiar faces from the earlier movies, but it does not mean every actor has officially signed on. At this stage, the distinction between planned return, desired return, and confirmed casting remains important.
The original movies built their appeal around a group dynamic. Ben Gates provided the historical expertise and obsessive curiosity, while characters such as Riley Poole brought humor and technical support to the treasure hunts. Abigail Chase also played a central role in Ben’s personal and professional life.
The potential return of those characters could give the third movie continuity that a reboot would struggle to recreate.
Still, the current announcement does not provide a complete cast list. Until Disney or the production team formally confirms individual deals, names beyond Cage should be described as possibilities rather than finalized participants.
Could Diane Kruger and Justin Bartha Return?
Diane Kruger’s Abigail Chase and Justin Bartha’s Riley Poole remain two of the most recognizable supporting characters in the franchise. Their return would make sense from a story perspective, particularly if the third film continues the original team’s adventures.
There is also precedent for Bartha’s continued connection to the franchise. He appeared as Riley in National Treasure: Edge of History, alongside other performers from the film series.
However, that history does not automatically confirm his involvement in the third movie. The same applies to Kruger and the other original cast members.
Turteltaub’s comments show that a reunion is something the filmmakers want, but the exact lineup remains unresolved. Therefore, fans can reasonably hope to see familiar characters return while waiting for official casting announcements.
If Disney eventually confirms a broader reunion, it could become one of the sequel’s biggest selling points. After nearly two decades, seeing Cage’s Ben Gates surrounded by several members of his original team would immediately connect the new adventure to the movies audiences remember.
What Could National Treasure 3 Be About?
The story for National Treasure 3 remains under wraps. Neither Disney nor Jon Turteltaub has publicly revealed a detailed plot, so any specific storyline circulating online should be treated as speculation rather than confirmed information.
That uncertainty leaves plenty of room for the filmmakers to build a new adventure around the formula that defined the first two movies. Ben Gates could once again follow a chain of historical clues, hidden documents, coded messages and forgotten locations while racing against another group searching for the same secret.
The franchise has always treated American history as an adventure playground. The first movie centered on a treasure connected to the Founding Fathers, while National Treasure: Book of Secrets expanded the mythology with another historical mystery involving the Presidents. A third installment could continue that approach without simply repeating either earlier story.
The long gap also gives the filmmakers an opportunity to make Ben older and more experienced. Instead of presenting him as a treasure hunter starting from scratch, the sequel could acknowledge everything he has already discovered. That could create a more mature version of the character while preserving the puzzle-solving spirit that made the original films distinctive.
For now, however, the only responsible answer is that the plot remains unknown. Turteltaub’s confirmation establishes the movie’s development, not its storyline. Until the filmmakers release an official synopsis or discuss the screenplay in greater detail, theories about the next treasure hunt should remain theories.
Will National Treasure 3 Address Page 47?
One of the biggest unresolved questions comes from National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Near the end of that film, President Chesterfield discusses the mysterious information contained on Page 47 of the President’s Book of Secrets. He tells Ben that he may have an opportunity to look at it one day, leaving the mystery open.
That moment has fueled fan speculation for years because the movie never reveals what the page contains. The unanswered clue became one of the most obvious potential starting points for a third installment.
However, there is no current confirmation that National Treasure 3 will revolve around Page 47. The filmmakers have not publicly announced that the mystery forms the basis of the new screenplay. Therefore, it would be misleading to present the page as the confirmed plot of the sequel.
Still, the unresolved clue gives the franchise a ready-made narrative thread. If the writers choose to revisit it, the page could connect Ben’s next adventure to the secrets of previous presidents and expand the historical mythology of the series.
That possibility is especially attractive because it would reward longtime viewers without requiring the movie to ignore everything that came before. For now, though, Page 47 remains a fan-favorite mystery rather than an officially announced storyline.
Why National Treasure 3 Took Nearly Two Decades
The long wait for National Treasure 3 has been one of the strangest parts of the franchise’s history. The first movie arrived in 2004, followed by National Treasure: Book of Secrets in 2007. Despite the commercial success and continuing fan interest, a third theatrical movie never reached production.
Several factors contributed to that uncertainty. The project went through development for years, with scripts and ideas discussed without producing a finished movie. At the same time, Nicolas Cage’s career moved in many different directions, and his public comments sometimes suggested that another National Treasure installment was unlikely.
The franchise also expanded in another direction with National Treasure: Edge of History, a Disney+ series that premiered in 2022. The show introduced a new group of characters and continued the franchise’s treasure-hunting concept, but it did not replace the original movies or provide the long-awaited third chapter centered on Ben Gates.
That history helps explain why Turteltaub’s latest comments carry more weight than another isolated rumor. The franchise has experienced years of uncertainty, but the current project has a screenplay that Turteltaub and Disney reportedly like, while Cage is expected to return. (ew.com)
The movie still has hurdles ahead, but it has reached a stage that earlier attempts never managed to turn into a finished production.
National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets
The first two movies established a distinctive formula built around history, puzzles, conspiracies and large-scale adventure.
The original National Treasure introduced Benjamin Franklin Gates as a historian and treasure hunter searching for a legendary treasure linked to America’s founding history. The movie combines historical research with action, turning documents, landmarks and artifacts into clues that move the story forward. Disney’s official movie page identifies Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates and presents the film as an action-adventure mystery centered on the search for a legendary treasure. (movies.disney.com)
Three years later, National Treasure: Book of Secrets expanded the formula. Ben and his team became involved in another historical mystery, this time connected to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and a hidden page from the President’s Book of Secrets.
That second film also strengthened the relationships between Ben, Abigail Chase and Riley Poole. The combination of adventure, humor and historical puzzles became a defining part of the franchise’s identity.
What Made the Original Movies Successful?
The appeal of National Treasure came from its ability to make historical information feel like part of an action movie.
Instead of treating history as background material, the films turned it into the central mechanism of the adventure. A painting, monument, document or historical phrase could suddenly become a clue. That structure gave audiences a reason to pay attention to details while the characters raced to solve each mystery.
Ben Gates also gave the franchise a different kind of action protagonist. He relied heavily on knowledge and deduction rather than simply overpowering opponents. His expertise made historical research feel useful, while Nicolas Cage’s energetic performance gave the character a distinctive personality.
Riley provided comic relief and technical assistance, while Abigail added another layer to Ben’s personal and investigative life. Together, the characters created a team dynamic that helped keep the films accessible.
That formula could be valuable for National Treasure 3. The sequel does not need to reinvent the franchise completely. Instead, it can modernize the adventure while retaining the historical puzzles, humor and character relationships that audiences associate with the series.
Why National Treasure 3 Still Matters to Fans
The appeal of National Treasure 3 goes beyond nostalgia. The franchise occupies a distinctive space in Disney’s movie library because it combines recognizable American history with puzzles, comedy and blockbuster adventure. The first two films did not require audiences to know the details of history before watching them. Instead, they turned familiar landmarks, documents and historical figures into pieces of a mystery.
The same interest in established movie franchises can also be seen across Marvel, where audiences continue to follow major developments surrounding the X-Men MCU reboot.
That formula still has value. The original National Treasure earned more than $347 million worldwide, while National Treasure: Book of Secrets passed $450 million globally. Together, the two Nicolas Cage movies generated more than $800 million at the worldwide box office.
A third film could therefore appeal to two groups at once. Longtime viewers have a reason to return because Ben Gates is coming back, while younger audiences can discover the franchise through a new historical adventure.
The timing also matters. Almost two decades have passed since the second movie, giving the sequel a built-in sense of occasion. However, the filmmakers will need to balance that nostalgia with a story that works on its own.
That may be the biggest opportunity for National Treasure 3. The movie can acknowledge the history of the first two installments without becoming dependent on references. If it delivers another clever mystery, strong character chemistry and a fresh treasure hunt, the franchise could feel relevant again rather than simply revived for sentimental reasons.
The Long Gap Could Help National Treasure 3
At first glance, nearly 19 years between sequels sounds like a major disadvantage. In reality, the gap could give National Treasure 3 an interesting advantage.
Ben Gates is no longer the same character audiences met in 2004. Nicolas Cage has also built a much broader career since the first two movies. A new installment can use that passage of time instead of pretending it never happened.
The sequel could present Ben as an experienced historian and treasure hunter who has already solved extraordinary mysteries. That creates room for a more challenging investigation and potentially higher personal stakes.
The long break also gives the filmmakers access to technology and filmmaking techniques that were not available when Book of Secrets reached theaters. Modern visual effects, location photography and digital production tools could make the next treasure hunt considerably larger in scale.
Disney is also revisiting other established properties for new audiences, including its upcoming Tangled live-action adaptation.
However, bigger does not automatically mean better. The heart of National Treasure has always been the puzzle. The films work when audiences can follow the clues and understand why each discovery matters.
Turteltaub therefore has an unusual task. He must make the movie feel new enough to justify its return while preserving the qualities that made the original films popular.
The current development gives him that opportunity. Turteltaub is returning, Cage is expected back, and Disney reportedly supports the screenplay.
What National Treasure 3 Could Mean for Disney
For Disney, the return of National Treasure could revive a property that has remained recognizable even without regular theatrical releases.
Disney has also continued developing major franchise sequels for established audiences, including Frozen 3, showing the studio’s ongoing interest in bringing familiar properties back to the big screen.
The company previously expanded the series through National Treasure: Edge of History, a Disney+ series that introduced a new group of treasure hunters while retaining connections to the original movies. Disney’s own media materials described the show as an expansion of the movie franchise.
That experiment demonstrated that the concept could continue beyond Ben Gates, but the new movie is taking a different approach by bringing the original creative leadership back into the conversation.
A successful third film could potentially reopen the franchise for additional movies or other projects. Yet it would be premature to assume that a new trilogy or wider cinematic universe is already planned. No such expansion has been officially announced.
For now, Disney’s most important decision is whether the current screenplay can translate the franchise’s familiar formula into a compelling modern adventure. The studio’s reported support for the script is encouraging, but the real test will come when production begins and audiences eventually see the finished movie.
The timing could also work in the film’s favor. Streaming has allowed older movies to find new audiences long after their theatrical runs. A return by Cage could turn that renewed interest into a theatrical event, especially if Disney markets the movie around the reunion of the original team.
What Happened to National Treasure: Edge of History?
Before the current National Treasure 3 development, Disney tried to continue the property through National Treasure: Edge of History.
The Disney+ series premiered in 2022 and followed Jess Valenzuela, a young treasure hunter whose search for a centuries-old treasure becomes connected to her family history. Disney described the show as an expansion of the existing movie franchise.
The series also maintained connections with the original films. Justin Bartha returned as Riley Poole, giving longtime viewers a familiar link to Ben Gates’ adventures.
However, the series lasted only one season before Disney+ canceled it. That left the original movie storyline unfinished and reinforced the idea that a Cage-led sequel might never happen.
The current development changes that picture. Rather than relying on a new generation of characters, the next movie appears designed to return to the people who established the franchise in the first place.
That does not erase Edge of History from the franchise’s history. Instead, it becomes an interesting chapter in Disney’s attempt to determine how National Treasure could continue after the original movies.
For fans, the most significant difference is simple: the next major chapter is once again centered on Ben Gates.
Why Nicolas Cage’s Return Changes Everything
Without Nicolas Cage, National Treasure 3 would have faced a difficult identity problem.
The character of Ben Gates is inseparable from the franchise. Cage’s performance established the tone of the films, balancing serious historical research with the exaggerated energy expected from a large-scale adventure movie.
That is why the latest development is particularly striking. Cage himself said in 2024 that there was no National Treasure 3, after years of uncertainty surrounding the project.
Now, Turteltaub says Cage is expected to return. That represents a dramatic change from the position fans had heard only a couple of years ago.
It also gives the sequel an immediate marketing advantage. Audiences do not have to learn an entirely new protagonist or wonder whether the movie is connected to the original films. Ben Gates can walk back into the story with nearly two decades of history behind him.
Still, the project should not be treated as completely locked until Disney and Cage formally announce the full production details. Turteltaub himself has emphasized that the project is “Hollywood real,” meaning circumstances can still change.
For now, though, Cage’s expected return gives National Treasure 3 the one element fans wanted most: a chance to continue Ben Gates’ story rather than simply borrow the franchise’s name.
What We Know and Don’t Know About National Treasure 3
The biggest National Treasure 3 update is now clear: the long-awaited sequel is moving forward, with Jon Turteltaub attached and Nicolas Cage expected to return as Benjamin Gates. Turteltaub has also confirmed that he and Disney like the current screenplay. That gives the movie a much more concrete foundation than the years of speculation that came before it.
At the same time, several major details remain unknown. Disney has not announced a release date, filming schedule, complete cast list, official synopsis, trailer, or detailed production timeline. Therefore, fans should be careful with reports that present unconfirmed dates or plot details as settled information.
| Detail | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Movie | Moving forward |
| Nicolas Cage | Expected to return |
| Jon Turteltaub | Returning as director |
| Screenplay | Exists and has Disney’s support |
| Original supporting cast | Possible, but not fully confirmed |
| Plot | Not officially revealed |
| Filming date | Not announced |
| Release date | Not announced |
| Trailer | Not released |
The distinction between confirmed information and future possibilities is especially important because Turteltaub described the project as “Hollywood real.” In other words, the sequel has reached a serious development stage, but Hollywood projects can still change before cameras roll.
For now, the safest conclusion is that National Treasure 3 is genuinely moving forward, but it remains a work in progress.
National Treasure 3 FAQs
Is National Treasure 3 officially happening?
Yes. Director Jon Turteltaub has confirmed that the third National Treasure movie is moving forward. He also said that a screenplay exists that he and Disney like. However, the film does not yet have a publicly announced release date or production start date.
Is Nicolas Cage returning for National Treasure 3?
Nicolas Cage is expected to return as Benjamin Franklin Gates. Turteltaub indicated that Cage remains part of the plan for the sequel. A complete cast announcement has not yet been made, so other returning actors should not be treated as officially confirmed until the filmmakers announce them.
Who is directing National Treasure 3?
Jon Turteltaub, who directed both previous National Treasure movies, is attached to the third installment. His continued involvement also helps connect the new film directly to the original franchise rather than making it a full reboot.
Does National Treasure 3 have a release date?
No. Disney has not announced an official release date for National Treasure 3. The project is still in development, so predicting a specific theatrical date would be premature. Fans should wait for an announcement from Disney or the production team.
Is the National Treasure 3 plot known?
Not yet. The filmmakers have not released an official story synopsis. That means theories involving Page 47 or another historical mystery remain speculation. The final plot will depend on the screenplay and any changes made before production begins.
Will the original National Treasure cast return?
Turteltaub has expressed a desire to bring back as much of the original cast as possible. Nicolas Cage is expected to return, but the complete supporting cast has not been officially confirmed. That leaves the potential returns of characters such as Abigail Chase and Riley Poole open for future announcements.
National Treasure 3 Could Finally Deliver the Sequel Fans Waited For
After nearly two decades, National Treasure 3 has reached the point fans have been waiting for: the project is moving forward with the original director and Nicolas Cage expected to return.
That does not mean the movie is ready for theaters yet. There is still no confirmed release date, filming schedule, complete cast announcement, or official plot synopsis. Those details will likely arrive only after the project moves further through development and production.
Still, the current update represents a major shift. For years, another Ben Gates adventure existed mostly as an unanswered question. Now, Turteltaub has confirmed that a screenplay has Disney’s support and that the filmmakers are working toward making the sequel happen.
The next stage will be just as important as the announcement itself. Fans will want to know when production begins, which original actors return, what historical mystery drives the story, and whether the filmmakers finally revisit the unanswered Page 47 question.
For now, the most important news is simple: National Treasure 3 is happening, and Nicolas Cage appears ready to return as Ben Gates. After years of false starts and uncertainty, that alone makes the third movie one of the most intriguing legacy sequels currently in development.