National Treasure 3 Revealed: All Secrets You Can\’t Miss

National Treasure 3: Status Update

The National Treasure franchise began in 2004 with Nicolas Cage portraying the daring Benjamin Gates, who stole the Declaration of Independence to discover a hidden treasure map. The first film, inspired by the legacy of Indiana Jones, balanced historical intrigue with adventurous spectacle.

Background

• The original film earned over $400 million worldwide.
• A sequel followed in 2007, bringing cumulative earnings to around $800 million.
• These results created anticipation for a third installment.

Current Status

• Production has yet to receive official confirmation.
• Script negotiations are still in progress, with no definitive storyline.
• Multiple studios and producers are weighing the feasibility of a new film.
• Legal and licensing hurdles related to national artifacts have delayed progress.

Rumors and Speculations

• There is no iron‑clad certainty that Nicolas Cage will reprise his role.
• What if the new treasure map is tucked inside a different historical document?
• Some reports point to a potential release window in 2025 or 2026.

Expected Production Details

• Directorial candiates include veteran action directors like Jerry Bruckheimer.
• The film is expected to blend historical research with cutting‑edge adventure sequences.
• An estimated budget of around $120 million is being considered.

Conclusion

While the fan base continues to hope for a new chapter, no official green light has been granted yet. Enthusiasts stay alert for any official announcements, but for now, the future of the third National Treasure remains uncertain.

Is National Treasure 3 in development?

National Treasure 3: A Long‑Road Back to the Studio

After ten years of stalled development, National Treasure 3 was unveiled in 2020. Variety reported that Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer were greenlighting a third installment. Chris Bremner, known for Bad Boys: Ride or Die, was hired to draft the script.

Progress From Bruckheimer’s Desk

• In March 2024, Bruckheimer told MovieWeb he was still working on the film and hoped Nicolas Cage would return.
• Bruckheimer emphasized that the project had a “brilliant” writer and that, once a timely script was ready, the team would send it to Cage for approval.

New Writers and Fresh Heists

By May 2024, Bruckheimer announced that Ted Elliot— the original writer for Pirates of the Caribbean—was taking the helm for the third National Treasure. Elliot later told the National Treasure Hunt in August 2024 that the upcoming treasure had yet to be revealed, calling the next heist the “weirdest ever.” This raised expectations, given the previous films’ bolding of the Declaration of Independence and a city of gold beneath Mount Rushmore.

Elliot also stated that the third film would feature returning characters beyond Ben, Abigail, and Riley, and that Ben and Riley’s relationship would be revitalized. He revealed that the first draft was finished but needed rewrites.

Timing and Writer Patience

“These things take time,” Bruckheimer observed. “Your writers sometimes really need to dig in and sequester themselves. Ted is a phenomenal writer, but he’s not the fastest,” he added. Bruckheimer acknowledged the wait as worthwhile, noting that a great writer is “gold” and that the page’s appearance makes the process seem simple.

Directorial Uncertainty

Jon Turteltaub, director of the first two films, was not confirmed to return. However, Cormac Wibberley and Marianne Wibberley, the duo who penned both National Treasure films, told EW in September 2022 that Turteltaub was helping to develop the third film.

Future Appearances of Nicolas Cage

When asked about the likelihood of seeing him in another adventure in National Treasure 3, Nicolas Cage told MovieWeb in May 2025, “Don’t know. I do know there’s been more chatter about it than normal.”

Does National Treasure 3 have a release date?

Disney’s Release Calendar Excludes National Treasure 3

Key Points

• b>National Treasure 3 is not scheduled for Disney’s upcoming lineup.
• fans see the film appear on other studio platforms.
• the decision aligns with Disney’s current genre focus.

Why Disney Bypassed the Film

Disney’s strategic plan prioritizes family‑friendly, animated and high‑budget productions. National Treasure 3 falls outside this framework, leading the studio to omit it from its release calendar.

Repercussions for Viewers

• watchers must seek alternative distributors for the 3‑rd entry.
• the exclusion spotlights Disney’s dedication to quality over quantity.

Who is in the National Treasure 3 cast?

National Treasure (2004) Trailer #1 | Classic Trailers

While the official cast list remains unannounced, the film’s key actors are anticipated to reprise their roles:

• Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Gates
• Justin Bartha as Riley Poole
• Diane Kruger as Dr. Abigail Chase
• Jon Voight as Patrick Gates
• Armando Riesco as FBI Special Agent Hendricks
• Harvey Keitel as FBI Special Agent Peter Sadusky

Cast Highlight

These performers appeared in both National Treasure installments, contributing to the franchise’s enduring appeal.

How many National Treasure films are there?

National Treasure Movies

Disney has produced two thrilling National Treasure films, both directed by Jon Turteltaub. Below are the key details for each movie.

National Treasure (2004)

• Release date: November 19, 2004
• Plot summary: Benjamin Gates and his team attempted to steal the Declaration of Independence in order to interpret a hidden map placed on the back of the document.
• Box‑office performance: The film grossed over $347 million worldwide, making it a commercial hit.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)

• Release date: December 21, 2007
• Plot summary: Gates chased a missing page in John Wilkes Booth’s diary that would prove his ancestor’s innocence in Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.
• Production budget: $130 million
• Box‑office performance: The sequel earned more than $459 million at the box office.

Is there a National Treasure TV series?

National Treasure: Edge of History – Disney+ Series Overview

Premiere & Development

National Treasure: Edge of History premiered on Disney+ on December 14, 2022. The 10‑episode series was written by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley for the streaming platform.

Story & Lead Character

The series follows Lisette Olivar as Jess Valenzuela, a young woman who, after discovering her late father’s past as a treasure guardian, embarks on a quest to locate a Pan‑American treasure.

Main Cast & Returning Actors

• Zuri Reed
• Antonio Cipriano
• Jordan Rodrigues
• Jake Austin Walker
• Lyndon Smith
• Catherine Zeta‑Jones
• Bartha, Riesco, & Harvey Keitel – they reprise their roles from the films for the Disney+ series.

Cancellation & Canon Status

On April 21, 2023, Disney canceled the series after one season. Ted Elliot discussed the canon implications in the National Treasure Hunt podcast (August 2024). He revealed that he is treating the Disney+ series as canonical with his script for the third film. This means Agent Sudusky will remain dead, and Harvey Keitel likely will not reprise this role in the movie.

FBI Approach in the Third Film

“I’m trying to do something different with the FBI than was done in the previous two movies,” said Elliot. “They’re still the pursuers, they’re still the force for law and order, but just the way they operate, I’m trying to do something just a little bit different.”