Nicolas Cage Is Back: 'National Treasure 3' Is Officially Moving Forward

Benjamin Gates is officially dusting off his leather jacket, grabbing his torch, and deciphering historical clues once again. More than two decades after the original *National Treasure* first smashed into theaters, franchise director Jon Turteltaub revealed that a third movie in the blockbuster Disney saga is finally becoming a reality—and Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is set to reprise his iconic lead role. For nearly 20 years, fans of the action-adventure universe had largely lost hope that a proper trilogy capper would ever get made. The original 2004 blockbuster and its 2007 follow-up, *National Treasure: Book of Secrets*, established Cage's history-obsessed hero as an absolute pop-culture legend. Yet despite endless online demand, studio delays and shifting production priorities kept the theatrical franchise stalled out on the shelf. ## Is National Treasure 3 actually happening with Nicolas Cage That agonizing wait is finally coming to an end. According to the project update, the original director confirmed that a brand-new script is currently being penned specifically tailored around Cage's return as Gates. The creative team behind the Disney hits is actively pushing the long-awaited project forward after spending years stuck in development limbo. Cage's comeback comes after the legendary actor spent over a decade fending off relentless press questions about whether he'd ever hunt down another secret stash of historical loot on the big screen. While Disney attempted to keep the brand alive with the 2022 Disney+ spin-off series *National Treasure: Edge of History*, viewers made it loud and clear that any genuine continuation needed Cage's trademark chaotic energy right in the center of the frame. ## What is the release date for National Treasure 3 Though Disney has not yet slated an official theatrical release date or announced a production start timeline, this latest breakthrough represents the biggest leap forward for the beloved franchise since 2007. The script remains under active construction while the creative team fine-tunes the story details to get Cage back on set. With early-2000s cinematic nostalgia currently dominating Hollywood, reviving Benjamin Gates offers Disney a pre-packaged crowd-pleaser. Fans will just have to wait a little longer to see which piece of American history Cage decides to swipe next.