Summary
- Despite previous denials, producer Jerry Bruckheimer remains optimistic about a potential
National Treasure 3
, hinting at ongoing developments and stating that a “brilliant writer” is working on the script right now. - The unresolved cliffhanger from
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
has kept fans eagerly anticipating a third installment in the franchise. - Chris Bremner is still attached to finish the script for
National Treasure 3
, potentially bringing back the original cast for a successful sequel.
The news surrounding National Treasure 3 has been in a constant state of eb and flow since National Treasure: Book of Secrets was released way back in 2007. News of a third installment in the National Treasure franchise began to resurface in 2020. Variety reported that Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney were moving ahead with a third movie, with Chris Bremner (Bad Boys for Life) reported to be writing the script.
News surrounding National Treasure 3 was then silent for almost two years. Questions about the project were asked to Bruckheimer during that period, but nothing new was said. Then, in 2022, Nic Cage denied any involvement in the project in a Reddit AMA. Cage stated that Disney’s attention shifted toward the TV series National Treasure: Edge of History, which suggested they had given up on a third movie.
Original National Treasure star Justin Bartha then reignited hopes of a third film during promotion for National Treasure: Edge of History. During an interview with Variety, Bartha said he was optimistic about the franchise’s future and still has hopes for a third installment. Then Cage went and denied the project’s existence again, this time more directly. When asked about National Treasure 3, Cage bluntly said to ScreenRant, “No, there is no National Treasure 3. If you want to find treasure, don’t look at Disney, okay? It’s not there.”
However, in an exclusive interview with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, to promote The Ministry of Ungentlemenly Warfare, we asked Bruckheimer about Nicolas Cage’s comments and the future of the franchise. Despite the film’s 17-year development hell, Bruckheimer is still optimistic about the project, saying:
“Well, we hope there’s a
National Treasure 3
. We’ve been working on it for quite a while. We have a brilliant writer working on it right now, so hopefully, if we get a script in a timely fashion, we’ll send it to Nic [Cage] and, if he likes it, we’ll make another one. We certainly would like to.”
National Treasure 3 Will Solve a 17-Year-Long Cliffhanger
Fans haven’t just been clamoring for a third National Treasure film because it’s a great franchise. National Treasure: Book of Secrets ended with a major cliffhanger which audiences are eager to see resolved.
Related National Treasure: Why the Series Failed to Reach the Success of the Movies National Treasure: Edge of History was an unsuccessful spinoff and failed to fill the shoes of the original movies.
At the end of National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Ben Gates (Nic Cage) is asked about what is written on the mysterious 47th page of the President’s secret book. Gates doesn’t give a definitive answer, only answering that the contents are “life-altering.” But what does that mean?! Big fans have been desperate for answers for nearly 17 years, with theories still dominating forums across the internet.
No other news has been announced regarding National Treasure 3. Chris Bremner is still attached to the project, and is writing the script Bruckheimer referenced in his answer. A third National Treasure film, with the entire cast returning, would surely be a hit. Bruckheimer has recently found success with a legacy sequel, having released Top Gun: Maverick in 2022 to tremendous acclaim, so studios will certainly have confidence in him. Time will tell.
The Ministry of Ungentlemenly Warfare explodes into cinemas on April 19 from Lionsgate.
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