National Treasure 3 confirmed in development

Director Jon Turteltaub has confirmed that a third National Treasure film is officially in development, ending years of speculation about the franchise's future. The announcement came during a live taping of the National Treasure Hunt podcast at the Philadelphia Visitor Center on Friday, August 21, 2026. Turteltaub told the audience they were the first to hear the news publicly, stating, "It's happening."

Turteltaub, who directed the first two films, revealed that a script is in progress and has received approval from Disney. He indicated that the studio is supportive, saying the script "sounds like a movie we can make." The director also expressed hope that the original cast would return, including Nicolas Cage, who starred as treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates. "To whatever extent we can, everyone's back," Turteltaub said, though he humorously acknowledged the unpredictable nature of Hollywood production.

The first National Treasure was released in 2004 and grossed $347 million worldwide. Its 2007 sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, earned $459 million. The films follow historian Ben Gates as he uncovers clues to a legendary treasure hidden by the Founding...