Brandon Fletcher
After more than six years of anticipation, Disney has reignited the possibility of a third National Treasure film. Following years of silence and a brief television spinoff that left fans wondering about the future of the franchise, it seems that excitement is back on the table.
In an announcement reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, director Jon Turtletaub confirmed on Friday that National Treasure 3 is officially in the works. During a weekend event celebrating the original film, Turtletaub shared with attendees that there is a script that both he and Disney are enthusiastic about. He also mentioned plans to reunite the original cast “to whatever extent we can.”
What factors are making National Treasure 3 a more viable project now? Nicolas Cage has recently been in the spotlight with his roles in films like Longlegs and Spider-Noir. With Indiana Jones stepping back, Cage’s character Ben Gates could once again take center stage as a leading cinematic adventurer. On a broader scale, Disney is riding a wave of nostalgia; the success of The Devil Wears Prada 2 this year has opened doors for the studio to explore reviving other cherished franchises, including Pirates of the Caribbean.
For those who remain skeptical, Turtletaub clarified that the status of the threequel is currently “Hollywood real,” which means there are possibilities ahead. He humorously noted, “If Nic gets hit by a bus, there’s no National Treasure 3. If I get hit by a bus, there’s probably a [movie].” The lengthy development process has also been influenced by the current political landscape in the United States, which has seen efforts to address and remove certain racially insensitive aspects of the country’s history from public discourse. Turtletaub expressed his hope that if the film moves forward, it will thoughtfully engage with these themes without alienating audiences, emphasizing the importance of including these discussions in the narrative.
Stay tuned for more updates on National Treasure 3 as new information becomes available.
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Daniel Mercer
