Yes, National Treasure 3 is happening, but it is not filming and has no release date. On August 21, 2026, original director Jon Turteltaub said publicly: “It’s happening.” He said he and Disney have approved a script. Nicolas Cage is expected to return as Ben Gates, but Disney has not formally announced the film, and Cage has not commented.
| Status | In development; script approved by the director and Disney (August 2026) |
| Release date | None announced. 2028 at the earliest if filming starts in 2027 (estimate) |
| Director | Jon Turteltaub (directed both films) |
| Producer | Jerry Bruckheimer |
| Writer | Ted Elliott (Pirates of the Caribbean), hired in 2024 |
| Expected star | Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates |
| Studio | Disney |
| Years in development | 18, since Bruckheimer confirmed a third film in 2008 |
| Last film | National Treasure: Book of Secrets (December 21, 2007) |
National Treasure Latest news: What changed in 2026
The biggest update in years came on August 21, 2026. Jon Turteltaub was at a live taping of the National Treasure Hunt podcast during Philadelphia’s National Treasure Weekend.
- “It’s happening.” Turteltaub said the hosts were the first people he had told publicly.
- The script is approved. He said he and Disney signed off on a script, and that the studio told him it “sounds like a movie we can make.”
- Bruckheimer’s blessing. The podcast reported that Jerry Bruckheimer also approved the script.
- Cage is the key. Turteltaub joked that if Cage got hit by a bus, there would be no third film. The film is built around him.
- “Hollywood real”. He warned that this is real by Hollywood standards, so it could still change. No filming date was given.
This follows earlier steady signals from Bruckheimer. In October 2025 he told The Wrap “we’re getting closer.” In March 2026, at the Producers Guild Awards, he said it was “coming along quite well.”
What has not happened yet: Disney has not made an official announcement or set a release date. There has been no casting announcement, no filming start, and no statement from Cage. As of November 2026, we found no newer updates. Unlike the third part of Sherlock Holmes, that began its filming in 2027.
National Treasure 3 Timeline: 18 years of Delay
The script has been “done” at least four times since 2010. That is why fans are skeptical of every update. Newest first:
| Date | What happened |
| Aug 2026 | Turteltaub says “It’s happening”; he and Disney have approved a script |
| Mar 2026 | Bruckheimer says it’s “coming along quite well” |
| Oct 2025 | Bruckheimer says the script is nearly done, with Cage and Turteltaub intended to return |
| Late 2024 | Ted Elliott says his first draft has “familiar faces” and treats the TV series as canon |
| May 2024 | Bruckheimer confirms Ted Elliott is writing. Turteltaub says the film is “100%” going ahead with the original cast. |
| Mar 2024 | Cage says he has no interest in a third film: “there is no National Treasure 3” |
| Apr 2023 | Disney+ cancels National Treasure: Edge of History after one season |
| Aug 2022 | Bruckheimer says the script is finished and going to Cage |
| Apr 2022 | Cage says Disney is favoring the TV series |
| Mar 2022 | Cage says he hasn’t seen a script |
| Jan 2020 | Chris Bremner is hired to write a new script |
| Jul 2018 | Turteltaub says a script is “close,” but Disney is not on board |
| Sep 2017 | Bruckheimer says a script exists, but Disney doesn’t like the story |
| May 2016 | Cage says the script is being rewritten and fact-checked |
| May 2010 | Bruckheimer says the first draft is complete |
| Sep 2008 | Bruckheimer confirms a third film is in development |
| Dec 21, 2007 | Book of Secrets is released and ends on the “page 47” cliffhanger |
Why it took so long?
The sequel was never short of interest. The two films grossed $347 million and $459 million worldwide. It stalled for four other reasons:
- The story kept getting rejected. Bruckheimer and Turteltaub both said Disney turned down earlier scripts. Each National Treasure plot needs a real historical puzzle that holds up to fact-checking, and that takes time to write.
- Disney’s priorities changed. After 2009 the studio focused on Marvel, Star Wars and its own remakes. A mid-budget adventure film with an original story was not a priority.
- Disney chose a TV show first. In 2022 Disney chose the Disney+ series Edge of History with a new young lead. It was canceled after 10 episodes, which left the film as the only way forward.
- Cage was skeptical. He said in 2022 that he hadn’t seen a script, and in 2024 that he was done with the role. Turteltaub has said there is no film without him.
What changed in 2026 is that the director and the studio have both approved the same script, which had not happened before.
National Treasure 3 Cast
No cast has been officially announced. Turteltaub wants as much of the original cast back as possible, and in 2024 he said the plan was the original cast, possibly with old villains too.
| Actor | Character | Status |
| Nicolas Cage | Ben Gates | Expected to lead; no comment from Cage since 2024 |
| Diane Kruger | Dr. Abigail Chase | Not confirmed |
| Justin Bartha | Riley Poole | Not confirmed; already returned in Edge of History |
| Jon Voight | Patrick Gates | Not confirmed |
| Helen Mirren | Emily Appleton-Gates | Not confirmed |
| Harvey Keitel | FBI Agent Peter Sadusky | Not confirmed |
| Sean Bean / Ed Harris | Ian Howe / Mitch Wilkinson (villains) | Possible, per Turteltaub’s “previous adversaries” comment |
| Lisette Olivera | Jess Valenzuela (Edge of History) | Possible crossover; writer Ted Elliott treats the series as canon |
Christopher Plummer, who played John Adams Gates in the first film, died in 2021.
Plot: what is on page 47?
No plot has been revealed. The set-up fans expect comes from the end of Book of Secrets. Ben Gates asks the President about page 47 of the President’s Book of Secrets. The President says he will look into it, and the film ends without telling us what is on the page.
Fan theories about page 47 include the JFK assassination, Area 51, and lost national treasures still waiting to be found. Turteltaub has hinted that a modern National Treasure story will have to deal with today’s politics. Writer Ted Elliott has said his draft includes “familiar faces” and treats the Edge of History series as canon, so the series’ events may be referred to.
Until Disney releases a synopsis, treat any “leaked plot” as speculation.
How to watch National Treasure in order?
All three entries are Disney titles and usually stream on Disney+ in the US. Check your region, because availability can change.
- National Treasure (November 19, 2004): Ben Gates steals the Declaration of Independence to find the Templar treasure. PG, 131 minutes.
- National Treasure: Book of Secrets (December 21, 2007): Ben clears his ancestor’s name in the Lincoln assassination and finds the City of Gold. PG.
- National Treasure: Edge of History (Disney+ series, December 2022 to February 2023): 10 episodes with Lisette Olivera, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Justin Bartha as Riley.
The series is optional, but it may matter for the third film because its writer counts it as canon.
FAQs
Is National Treasure 3 confirmed?
The director has confirmed it, but Disney has not officially announced it. Jon Turteltaub said “It’s happening” in August 2026, after he and Disney approved a script.
What is the National Treasure 3 release date?
There isn’t one. Filming hasn’t started. A typical big-studio schedule would put a release in 2028 at the earliest.
Is Nicolas Cage in National Treasure 3?
He is expected to return as Ben Gates, and the director says there is no film without him. Cage himself has not commented since saying in 2024 that there was no third film.
Is Diane Kruger returning?
This has not been confirmed. The director wants the original cast back.
Who is directing National Treasure 3?
Jon Turteltaub, who directed the first two films. Jerry Bruckheimer is producing.
What is on page 47?
No one knows yet. It is the cliffhanger from Book of Secrets, and the third film is expected to answer it.
Why did National Treasure 3 take so long?
Disney rejected several scripts and prioritized other franchises. It also tried a TV series first, and Cage was uncertain about returning.
Was the National Treasure TV show canceled?
Yes. Edge of History was canceled in April 2023 after one 10-episode season.
Where can I watch National Treasure?
Both films and the series stream on Disney+ in the US.
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