Alert! Alert! We Have MAJOR ‘National Treasure 3’ News!

In 2004, Disney blew audiences away with the story of Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian who steals the Declaration of Independence to protect it from treasure hunters searching for the lost treasure of the Knights Templar. National Treasure starred Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates, Justin Bartha as Riley Poole, Diane Kruger as Abigail Chase, and Jon Voight as Patrick Gates. The film perfectly combined history, action, and a little bit of comedy injected at just the right time.

Related: ‘National Treasure’ Nicolas Cage Spends at Day at the Disney Parks

National Treasure was such a hit that three years later, Disney released a sequel — National Treasure: Book of Secrets. While the sequel wasn’t quite as popular as the original film, fans still flocked to see it. And the film ended on with the perfect setup for a third film, which fans have been begging for for nearly twenty years.

Back in March, National Treasure producer Jerry Bruckheimer shared that the third film had not been forgotten. In fact, he said that he hoped to have a script finished “shortly” and even planned on sending it to Nicolas Cage!

And now, thanks to a new podcast episode, we have even more National Treasure 3 information to share with you!

National Treasure: Book of Secrets story creator Ted Elliott recently appeared on the podcast National Treasure Hunt. During his interview, he revealed that the first draft of the script had finally been completed. He also teased that the new movie will feature some familiar faces — specifically the return of Riley Poole (Bartha) and Ben Gates (Cage). However, he did admit that their relationship will not be the same as it was in the past.

Related: Was Nicolas Cage Visiting Disneyland to Promote a New Ride? Or Was It Ryan Gosling?

Elliott also confirmed that the Disney+ series National Treasure: Edge of History will serve as canon for the new movie. Edge of History premiered on Disney+ in 2022 but was canceled after just one season. The series told a new story with new stars, but Justin Bartha reprised his role as Riley Poole, and Harvey Keitel was brought back as FBI agent Sadusky.

So, fans are left to wonder, is Riley’s relationship with Ben forever changed because of what happened in the Disney+ series? Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out!

Now, this is not the first time that we have heard that Bruckheimer and other members of the National Treasure team want Nicolas Cage to return to the role of Benjamin Gates. But the big question is, will he want to return to Disney?

Earlier this year, Mr. Cage said that there was not a script in the works, but that clearly is not the case. However, the script might not matter.

In a 2022 interview with GQ Magazine, Cage voiced his disappointment in the Mouse House. He revealed that Disney basically turned its back on him after several box office failures — The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010), Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011), and Season of the Witch (2011). So, even if Disney wants Cage back, they might have to do some serious apologizing before he agrees to anything.

Are you excited to see National Treasure 3 finally making some progress? Let us know in the comments!