- Primary Subject: National Treasure 3 Development Update
- Key Update: Director Jon Turteltaub shared a new update on the development of National Treasure 3.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: August 24, 2026
- Quick Answer: Yes, National Treasure 3 is officially progressing after director Jon Turteltaub confirmed a completed script that studio executives at Disney are eager to make.
National Treasure director Jon Turteltaub recently shared an exciting new update on the development of the long-gestating third movie.
For the last several years, there have been attempts to do a third installment that would bring back Nicolas Cage for another treasure-hunting adventure. Fans have been wondering whether it will still happen, given the lack of updates, and whether Cage is still interested in returning to the franchise.
Is National Treasure 3 Finally Happening Soon?
During a recent taping of the National Treasure Hunt podcast (via The Hollywood Reporter), Jon Turteltaub opened up about the recent update on the development of the third National Treasure movie.
He told the audience the movie is "happening" and suggested Disney is eager to move forward with the project officially.
"It’s happening. You’re the first people I’ve said this out loud to. I have not said anything before this, but you deserve to have the scoop. It’s finally real. Now, it’s ‘Hollywood real,’ meaning things could happen. Nic gets hit by a bus, there’s no National Treasure 3. If I get hit by a bus, there’s probably a National Treasure 3. Welcome to Hollywood," the filmmaker said.
Not only that, Turteltaub confirmed that there is a script the studio is happy with and will likely greenlight.
"We finally have a script that I like. [Disney has also said,] 'OK, this sounds like a movie we can make,'" he added.
So far, Disney has not released a statement in response to Turteltaub's comments about the project's progress.
Nevertheless, this is exciting news for fans who have been looking forward to the third movie to happen, since we now know it will become official sooner rather than later.
The History of the National Treasure Franchise
Spanning two blockbuster movies and a TV series spinoff, the National Treasure franchise centers on the Gates family, a lineage of dedicated treasure hunters who track down and protect lost artifacts from American history.
The franchise debuted in 2004 with National Treasure, which proved to be a major box office hit. Though film critics initially offered mixed reviews, frequently drawing unfavorable comparisons to the Indiana Jones series, it resonated strongly with moviegoers, earning a dedicated fan following and an enduring positive legacy.
Building on this momentum, the 2007 sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets expanded the lore and solidified the franchise's cultural footprint.
Nearly two decades later, it transitioned to the small screen with the Disney+ spinoff series National Treasure: Edge of History. Set 20 years after the events of the original films, the series expanded the universe for a new generation before it was canceled after only one season.
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