National Treasure 3 Is ‘Finally Real’ With Nicolas Cage Expected Back

National Treasure 3 is closer to happening than it has been in years. Director Jon Turteltaub says the sequel is “finally real,” with a script he and Disney like. Nicolas Cage is also expected to return as Ben Gates. However, filming and a release date have not been officially confirmed yet.

What Is the Latest National Treasure 3 Update?

Image © 2007 Robert Zuckerman / Disney

National Treasure 3 has moved beyond years of development talk. Director Jon Turteltaub said during a live recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast that the third film is “finally real.” He also said a script exists that he likes and Disney reacted positively. However, Disney has not formally confirmed production, filming, or a release date.

What Changed to Make National Treasure 3 Finally Real?

The update matters because development of the third movie has continued for nearly two decades. Jon Turteltaub and producer Jerry Bruckheimer were discussing another sequel as early as 2008. Now, the director revealed that written material has reached a stage he supports, giving fans hope that the movie could finally happen.

• Script progress: Turteltaub said at the live taping that he finally has a script he likes. The Hollywood Reporter also reported his claim that Disney said it sounded like a movie the studio could make.
• Franchise history: The first National Treasure became a box office hit despite mixed reviews. The second movie, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, continued the treasure hunt and left the secrets of Page 47 unresolved.
• Global box office: National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets were commercially successful movies, helping establish the Nicolas Cage adventure franchise.
• TV expansion: National Treasure: Edge of History later expanded the franchise with new characters. The TV series ran for one season before Disney canceled it.
• Nicolas Cage: Cage played treasure hunter Ben Gates, also known as historian Ben Gates and Benjamin Gates, and remains central to the planned third installment.
• Diane Kruger: Kruger played Abigail Chase in the original cast, but her return for the third film has not been officially announced.
• Justin Bartha: Bartha played Riley Poole and returned in National Treasure: Edge of History, but his involvement in the sequel remains unconfirmed.

Is Nicolas Cage Returning as Ben Gates in National Treasure 3?

Entertainment Weekly reports Nicolas Cage returning based on Turteltaub’s comments, but Disney has not issued a formal cast announcement. Turteltaub made Cage’s importance clear by joking that if the actor were “hit by a bus,” there would be no National Treasure 3. The statement shows intent, but it is not confirmation of a signed contract.

• Nicolas Cage: Cage is expected to return as Ben Gates, the historian who tried to steal the Declaration of Independence to protect it in the first film.
• Jon Voight: Voight played Patrick Gates in the National Treasure movies, but his return has not been announced.
• Harvey Keitel: Keitel played Peter Sadusky and appeared in National Treasure: Edge of History, but he is not confirmed for the third movie.
• Sean Bean: Bean played Ian Howe in National Treasure, but no new role has been confirmed.
• Bruce Greenwood: Greenwood appeared as the U.S. president in Book of Secrets, but no third-film return has been announced.
• Catherine Zeta-Jones: Zeta-Jones joined Treasure Edge of History rather than the original movies, and she has not been announced as new cast.
• Plot status: No official plot has been revealed. A dangerous journey involving Page 47, the National Treasure Book, first people, or another hunt connected to independence-era history remains speculation.

Final Thoughts

National Treasure 3 has its strongest update in years. Jon Turteltaub says a script is ready, while Nicolas Cage is expected to return as Ben Gates. However, Disney has not announced filming or a release date for the feature.

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