National Treasure 3 Gets Disappointing Update From Nicolas Cage

Actor Nicolas Cage gives a blunt response when asked for an update on Disney’s long-gestating National Treasure 3.

National Treasure 3 just received a very discouraging update from franchise star Nicolas Cage.

Speaking with Screen Rant, the actor bluntly stated that fans should stop expecting another National Treasure movie to be made at Disney. “No, there is no National Treasure 3. If you want to find treasure, don’t look at Disney, okay? It’s not there,” said Cage, who stars as historian Ben Gates in the franchise. Cage’s comments are likely to disappoint the majority of the fandom, many of whom have been waiting for National Treasure 3 since 2008 when the threequel was first announced by Disney.

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The National Treasure franchise began in 2004 with the release of the first film, which followed Cage’s Ben Gates as he attempts to steal the Declaration of Independence. The film was a major box office success and was followed by the 2007 sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets. A third National Treasure film was announced in September 2008 but has since become stuck in development hell.

A standalone television series set in the franchise, titled National Treasure:Edge of History, featuring a new cast of treasure-seeking characters, was released on Disney+ between December 2022 and February 2023. Unfortunately, the series was not popular with subscribers, leading to Edge of History being axed that April after a single 10-episode season.

Justin Bartha Explains Why the Third Film Hasn’t Happened Yet

While Cage didn’t provide a reason as to why Disney hasn’t moved forward with National Treasure 3, his co-star, Justin Bartha, has, explaining back in December 2022 that everyone is waiting on franchise director Jon Turtletaub to feel ready to jump back into the world of National Treasure.

“I had seen something awhile ago, and it was solid, but the unsung hero of these movies that doesn’t get mentioned as much is Jon Turteltaub,” he said. “Those movies really are an extension of his being. He is very smart and funny and has a buoyancy to him that mirrors the tone of the movies. I think he has to feel really comfortable and feel like he can see the movie before it happens — and it is getting closer to that.”

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What’s Next for Nicolas Cage?

Following his Golden Globe-nominated performance in A24’s Dream Scenario, Cage has two new movies set to be released in 2024. The first, the action horror movie Arcadian, stars Cage as a father of two teenagers who must teach them how to survive on their dystopian, monster-filled planet. The movie is set for theatrical release on April 12.

His second, the thriller Longlegs, was directed by Oz Perkins and co-stars Maika Monroe. Neon released the first trailer for the anxiety-filled movie in February ahead of its theatrical premiere this July. Cage is also reportedly in talks to reprise his role as Spider-Man Noir in the upcoming live-action Prime Video series of the same name.