After nearly two decades of uncertainty, National Treasure 3 finally appears to be moving closer to reality. Director Jon Turteltaub has confirmed that the long-awaited third movie is now in development, giving fans of Nicolas Cage’s treasure-hunting franchise a reason to celebrate.

Turteltaub, who directed both the original National Treasure in 2004 and its 2007 sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, revealed the news during a live recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast at the Philadelphia Visitor Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“I have not said anything before this, but you deserve to have the scoop,” Turteltaub told podcast hosts Aubrey Paris and Emily Black, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “It’s finally real.”

Jon Turteltaub confirms the third movie is moving ahead

Although Turteltaub’s announcement was exciting, the director made it clear that the project is still subject to the unpredictability of Hollywood.

He described the movie as “Hollywood real,” noting that circumstances can always change before a production reaches theaters. He also joked about the uncertainty surrounding Nicolas Cage’s involvement, saying that if something happened to Cage, there would be no National Treasure 3, while joking that the movie would probably continue if he himself were unavailable.

The comments mark the strongest public indication yet that the third installment could finally happen after years of development.

Nicolas Cage’s return remains key

Cage has played Benjamin Franklin Gates, the history-obsessed treasure hunter at the center of the franchise, in both previous movies.

The first National Treasure, released in 2004, followed Ben as he searched for a legendary treasure while using the Declaration of Independence as part of a trail leading to the fortune. He was joined by computer expert Riley Poole, played by Justin Bartha, and archivist Abigail Chase, played by Diane Kruger.

Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film became a commercial success, earning more than $331 million worldwide, according to The Numbers.

The 2007 sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, brought Cage, Bartha and Kruger back for another historical mystery. This time, Ben and his companions became involved in a conspiracy surrounding his ancestor and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

The sequel also received mixed critical reactions but performed even better at the box office, earning more than $457 million worldwide.

The franchise continued without a third movie

While fans waited for another film, Disney expanded the National Treasure universe with the 2022 Disney+ series National Treasure: Edge of History.

The series starred Lisette Olivera as Jess Valenzuela, a DREAMer who sets out to recover a lost treasure while uncovering a mystery connected to her family.

Justin Bartha returned to the franchise as Riley Poole, while Harvey Keitel reprised his role as FBI agent Peter Sadusky, who had retired by the time of the series.

However, Edge of History was canceled after one season, leaving the future of the franchise once again centered on the possibility of a third movie.

‘National Treasure 3’ has been nearly two decades in the making

The idea of another National Treasure film is hardly new. Turteltaub discussed plans for a third installment as early as 2008, saying that he and producer Jerry Bruckheimer were working to bring another movie to theaters.

Since then, the project has remained stuck in development for years, with occasional updates keeping hopes alive among longtime fans.

Turteltaub’s latest comments now suggest that the movie has taken a significant step forward. However, his warning that “Hollywood real” projects can still change means fans may have to wait for further confirmation before the film is officially locked in.

For now, though, the director has given National Treasure fans something they have been waiting to hear for years: the third movie is finally becoming real.

Source: https://www.tvinsider.com/