This is the treasure Hollywood has been searching for nearly twenty years. Jon Turteltaub, director of the first two National Treasure films, known in France as Benjamin Gates, announced on Friday, August 21, in Philadelphia that a third installment is finally in motion. The filmmaker claims that a script is progressing with Disney’s support and that Nicolas Cage, along with several members of the original cast, are at the center of discussions.
The announcement immediately revived a franchise that has been on hold since Benjamin Gates and the Book of Secrets in 2007. However, it must be read with precision: Disney has not yet communicated a filming or release date, and the project is not presented as a film already in production. But for the first time in a long while, the words used by Turteltaub are those of a project he considers real, rather than a mere wish.
The Statement That Rekindles a Cult Franchise
The moment took place during a public recording of the podcast National Treasure Hunt, held at the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia. This setting was not trivial: the city, its revolutionary history, and its monuments are intimately linked to the saga’s imagination. In front of fans, Jon Turteltaub explained that the third film is taking shape.
According to reports from The Philadelphia Inquirer and TheWrap, a script is in development with Disney’s approval. The director also indicated that the studio wishes to reunite the main actors from the original films. Nicolas Cage remains the central piece: without Benjamin Franklin Gates, a brilliant yet obsessive historian, the return would hardly have the same emotional weight.
Nicolas Cage, The Key That Disney Cannot Replace
The character of Benjamin Gates rests on a rare blend in major productions: erudition, humor, family adventure, and historical mystery. Nicolas Cage brought a unique intensity to the role, capable of making a treasure hunt hidden behind the American Declaration of Independence believable. His return would therefore not be merely a casting operation. It would represent the promise that the third film aims to extend the tone of the first two.
The potential presence of Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight, or Harvey Keitel is not officially locked in. Discussions around the original cast remain a goal, not a definitive list. This nuance is important after years of rumors, announced but revised scripts, and contradictory statements. The project must now pass through concrete stages: final script version, contracts, schedule, and production green light.
Why the Return of Benjamin Gates Could Become a Global Event
The numbers explain Disney’s persistent interest. According to Box Office Mojo, the first National Treasure generated approximately $347.5 million worldwide in 2004. Book of Secrets performed even better: The Numbers estimates its global earnings at over $457 million. The two films thus established an international brand without superheroes, without a complex fantasy universe, and without relying on constant visual effects.
This difference could precisely become an advantage in 2026. The audience is experiencing a form of fatigue towards overly vast universes and sequels that require having seen multiple series. Benjamin Gates offers an immediately understandable idea: a riddle, hidden clues in history, and a race against adversaries. The concept can appeal to nostalgia while welcoming a generation that was not born when the first film was released.
Nearly Twenty Years of Waiting and False Starts
The third chapter has been mentioned since the late 2000s. Producers, screenwriters, and actors have regularly confirmed the existence of ideas or versions of the script, without cameras rolling. Nicolas Cage himself has sometimes seemed to close the door, especially after the cancellation of the spin-off series National Treasure: Edge of History on Disney+.
This history imposes the need to resist excitement. A director’s statement, even precise, does not replace a production announcement. However, the context of Philadelphia, the mention of Disney’s support, and the announced desire to gather the cast give this revival more weight than the mere rumors that have accompanied the franchise for years.
The Challenge: Recapturing Adventure Without Becoming a Nostalgic Copy
The greatest danger would be to create a museum of the 2000s. Repeating the same riddles, multiplying nods, or relying solely on Nicolas Cage’s face would not suffice. The script must propose a strong enough mystery to justify the wait and give the hero a credible reason to resume the hunt. Benjamin Gates has aged, and the film must transform this passage of time into dramatic material.
A generational transmission seems likely, but it must not relegate historical characters to the background. Disney has often used this model to revive its major brands. The right balance would be to make Gates’ experience a driving force of the plot while introducing new perspectives on history, the ownership of treasures, and how nations construct their myths.
An American Film with Deeply International Potential
The saga is rooted in the history of the United States, but its success has never been exclusively American. The first film made just over half of its revenue outside the domestic market. In France, the name Benjamin Gates retains strong nostalgic value, sustained by reruns and streaming platforms.
A third installment could expand the map beyond American monuments. Major historical riddles cross borders, archives, and European collections. This openness would offer Disney a global spectacle without betraying the franchise’s identity. It would also allow for renewed settings, where a new hunt limited to Washington might risk appearing familiar.
What We Know and What Remains Secret
At this stage, three elements are solid: Jon Turteltaub says the project is progressing, Disney supports the work on the script, and the return of Nicolas Cage with the original cast is sought. Everything else remains open. No definitive French title, no date, no filming location, and no synopsis have been announced.
This zone of uncertainty does not necessarily weaken the event. On the contrary, it creates an expectation that the studio must quickly nourish with confirmations. The next decisive step will not be a new rumor, but an official announcement from Disney or the start of pre-production. Until then, talking about a probable return is fair; promising a quick release would be premature.
The Signal Fans Could No Longer Ignore
After nineteen years of silence in cinema, Benjamin Gates finally has a serious enough lead to reignite the hunt. The choice of Philadelphia, the director’s words, and the announced involvement of Disney transform an old hope into a credible project. Nicolas Cage remains the emotional and commercial key to the whole.
Hollywood loves to resurrect its franchises, but not all have such an immediately recognizable concept. If the film avoids the trap of automatic nostalgia and rediscovers the joy of an intelligent riddle, Benjamin Gates 3 could become much more than a late sequel. It could remind us that a great global spectacle sometimes hinges on a map, a secret, and a hero unwilling to let history sleep.
Sources
- The Philadelphia Inquirer â Jon Turteltaub Confirms the Revival of the Third Film, August 21, 2026
- TheWrap â National Treasure 3 Advances with Disney and Nicolas Cage, August 22, 2026
- Apple Podcasts â National Treasure Hunt, Public Event with Jon Turteltaub
- Box Office Mojo â Worldwide Earnings of the First National Treasure
- The Numbers â Box Office History of the Franchise