“National Treasure 3” is moving forward nearly two decades after actor Nicolas Cage last played treasure hunter Benjamin Gates, director Jon Turteltaub said during a podcast recording in Philadelphia.
Turteltaub, who directed the first two films, announced the development during a Friday recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast.
He told the audience the project was “finally real” while cautioning that plans could still change in Hollywood.
The director said the team had completed a script he liked and that Disney responded that it “sounds like a movie we can make.” Turteltaub also said he hoped to reunite as much of the original cast as possible, including Cage.
The 2004 Disney adventure “National Treasure” starred Cage alongside Diane Kruger and Justin Bartha.The film earned $347.5 million worldwide against a $100 million budget.
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Its 2007 sequel, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” reunited Cage, Kruger and Bartha and added Helen Mirren and Ed Harris. The sequel grossed $459.2 million worldwide.
The franchise later expanded with Disney+ series “National Treasure: Edge of History” in 2022. Disney+ cancelled the series after one 10-episode season in April 2023. The Independent said it contacted representatives for Disney and Cage for comment
