Disney has officially greenlit production on National Treasure 3, bringing Nicolas Cage back to the adventure franchise more than twenty years after the release of the original film.
Script Approval and Returning Cast
Director Jon Turteltaub broke the news during a live recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast in Philadelphia. Turteltaub confirmed that the studio has formally approved the screenplay and that the core creative team is lined up to return. According to Turteltaub, "everyone's back" to the fullest extent possible for the long-awaited threequel.
Franchise Box Office History
The development greenlight follows a dormant period for the intellectual property on the film side, which last saw a theatrical release nearly two decades ago. Released in 2004, the original National Treasure pulled in $347 million globally. Its sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, followed in 2007 with a higher gross of $459 million, pushing the combined worldwide box office past the $800 million threshold for Disney.
While the script is now officially approved and studio backing is secured, Disney has not yet disclosed a concrete production start date or a theatrical release window.
The financial track record of the first two films demonstrated enduring audience appetite for the historical puzzle-solving formula, making the eventual greenlight a logical, if delayed, step for the studio. Although the franchise expanded into other mediums—including a recent streaming series that explored different corners of the universe—fans have persistently campaigned for the continuation of Benjamin Franklin Gates' cinematic adventures.
With the narrative framework now locked in and administrative hurdles cleared by studio executives, pre-production can begin in earnest, though logistical coordination for such a large-scale ensemble cast will require considerable scheduling alignment. Turteltaub's comments during the Philadelphia event suggest an atmosphere of high enthusiasm among the returning personnel, even as producers work through the intricate details necessary to bring the multi-continental treasure hunt back to the big screen.
As the project transitions from the writing room to active development, the production team faces the task of matching the ambitious scale and intricate historical riddles that defined the earlier entries. The longevity of the franchise relies heavily on recreating the distinct chemistry between the main cast members who captivated audiences in the 2000s. Though specific plot details are being kept under wraps to preserve the element of surprise, the approved script promises to deliver the signature blend of global historical landmarks and high-stakes cinematic adventure that fans have waited more than two decades to see.
