‘National Treasure 3’ In Works, Franchise Director Reveals: “It’s Finally Real”

According to extensive coverage from outlets including Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Entertainment Weekly, a third installment in the National Treasure franchise is officially in the works and described as finally real. The news emerged during Philadelphia's National Treasure Weekend, where franchise director Jon Turteltaub confirmed the project's active development. Additional reporting from E! News, Yahoo, and The Independent notes that the upcoming film will feature the return of lead actor Nicolas Cage, reviving the adventure property two decades after the release of the previous sequel. Coverage across multiple media organizations emphasizes the active status of the production, with outlets such as 9News, WCNC, KARE 11, WTHR, and 10TV broadcasting the confirmation alongside entertainment-focused reports from Gizmodo, A.V.

Club, and Men's Journal. The Hollywood Reporter specifically notes that a script exists for the project. Meanwhile, financial and historical framing is provided by IMDb and Men's Journal, with IMDb discussing box office figures in relation to crossing a billion-dollar threshold, and Men's Journal contextualizing the 2004 original film as one of the greatest adventure movies of all time while referencing the critically panned nature of the intervening sequel. The broader background established in the coverage centers on the long gap since the earlier films in the franchise, positioning the new sequel as a major return for the property. Outlets such as The Independent mention the twenty-year timeline following the preceding release, framing the current announcement as a significant development for fans of the adventure series.

Coverage does not yet specify a concrete theatrical release date, production timeline, or complete supporting cast beyond the confirmed return of Nicolas Cage and the involvement of director Jon Turteltaub. Future updates will likely depend on further announcements from the production team regarding casting, filming schedules, and distribution plans. Current reports leave open the exact contents of the script mentioned by the director, as well as any plot details for the upcoming narrative. Observers and fans monitoring the trend will look to trades and major news outlets for subsequent confirmations as the project transitions from active development toward physical production.