The long-gestating sequel to the National Treasure series has been in high demand from fans for years, but will Disney ever produce National Treasure 3? Debuting in 2004 with the release of the eponymous film, the series follows historian Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) who hunts the globe for artifacts pertaining to early American history and uncovers a cryptic series of clues that lead back to the nation's founding. Deftly mixing action and adventure, the National Treasure series stands as a modern-day answer to movies like Indiana Jones.

The 2004 film naturally spawned a sequel in 2007, and Book of Secrets seemed poised to turn the Disney film series into a franchise. Though neither film was liked by critics, both were box office hits and a second sequel seemed imminent. However, years ed without a new addition to the Nic Cage vehicle, and Cage was not in 2022's National Treasure: Edge of History TV series. Though this seemingly spells doom for National Treasure 3, a steady flow of news regarding the sequel has been coming in recent years, and it isn't entirely off the table.

National Treasure 3 Latest News

A Script Update On The Threequel

With the threequel firmly locked in the development phase, the latest news comes as a script update on National Treasure 3. Screenwriter Ted Elliot spoke candidly while appearing on the National Treasure Hunt podcast, and revealed minor details which offer the first clues about the potential sequel. Elliot reveals that the first draft of the script is done (pending rewrites) and that familiar characters like Ben, Abigail, and Riley are all set to return in the story. Furthermore, he unveiled his plans for Riley's character, which involves an evolution in his friendship with Ben.

Read Elliot's comments below:

“Riley has changed more [than anybody else.] If you just look at the two points that are established for him in the first and second movies. In the first one, he is the uninformed audience. […] That’s the role he plays. He’s the guy who says, ‘What are you talking about there?’ In the second one he’s written a book about cryptohistory. And he’s right! He knows something Ben didn’t know about history. I just have to think that that’s continued. It becomes more difficult to do the history exposition because […] there are things [Riley] can know now. […]

In of writing the third movie, there is, I think, a change to Ben and Riley’s inner relationship that I think both actors will really enjoy. [...]

Agent Sudusky is dead. I’m treating the TV series as canon […] I’m trying to do something different with the FBI than was done in the previous two movies. There’s still the pursuers, there’s still the force for law and order, but just the way they operate I’m trying to do something just a little bit different."

National Treasure 3 Is Confirmed In Development

A Script Is In The Works

Talk of a sequel to National Treasure 2 has been swirling since 2007, but the film has never advanced past the development stage despite nearly two decades of work. More recent updates have been uncertain, as stars like Nicolas Cage shot down National Treasure 3 hopes, while producer Jerry Bruckheimer offered a much rosier view. The failure of National Treasure: Edge of History doesn't necessarily exclude a third movie from happening, since the lack of Nic Cage was probably the biggest reason why the Disney+ series didn't work.

National Treasure: Edge of History ran for one season on Disney+ before being canceled.

Jerry Bruckheimer has announced that a script is in the works, but only time will tell if it gets further than the development stage. Disney has been keen on keeping their 2000s live-action franchises alive in the 2020s, and Bruckheimer is still on hand to spearhead those projects much in the same way he led the charge in the aughts. Original director Jon Turteltaub reiterated that the project is still in the script phase, and screenwriter Ted Elliot revealed in August 2024 that the first draft was completed.

National Treasure 3 Cast

Will Nicolas Cage Return?

The fate of National Treasure 3 depends on the cast, and a sequel without Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates is essentially a lost cause. Cage returned for the blockbuster sequel, but he was not on hand for Disney+'s lackluster Edge of History TV series in 2022, and that is likely why it failed. Though Cage has never been particularly choosy with his projects, he seemingly has no desire to return to work with Disney again and seems content doing smaller movies that allow him to stretch his range.

Other cast returns are equally unknown, and the first two movies had a consistent ensemble that helped supplement Cage's star power. Justin Bartha appeared in both films as Ben's sidekick, Riley Poole, and the team was rounded out by Dr.mAbigail Chase, played by Diane Kruger.

He seemingly has no desire to return to work with Disney again

Bartha reprised his role in Edge of History and called his National Treasure 3 return a "no-brainer" (via People). Diane Kruger hasn't weighed in on another sequel, but she continues to work frequently in movies and TV. Notably, screenwriter Ted Elliot revealed that the script includes Ben, Riley, and Dr. Chase.

National Treasure 3 Story

What Could The Next Adventure Be?

Nothing is certain about the plot of National Treasure 3, but there have been a few clues planted throughout the franchise. Each movie and show has dealt with an artifact that links American history to some secret society or conspiracy, and a long-awaited legacy sequel like National Treasure 3 would surely follow the same trend.

One ongoing mystery pertains to what is on page 47 of the President's Book of Secrets, which was first introduced in the 2007 sequel. This could send the gang on any number of exciting adventures, or National Treasure 3 could cook up something entirely new as well.