National Treasure Director Explains Why Nicolas Cage is Right to be Cautious About New Sequel

The recent news that National Treasure 3 could be finally about to get off the ground, with the original cast returning, comes as a surprise following Nicolas Cage’s previous comments that “There is no National Treasure 3.” However, original National Treasure director Jon Turteltaub has defended Cage’s attitude towards the idea of continuing the franchise, noting that the actor has had a long enough career to know that things don’t always pan out as planned.

National Treasure 3

Writers

Aaron Benay , Matthew Benay , Carlo Bernard , Doug Miro

Studio

Walt Disney Pictures

National Treasure was a big hit for Cage in 2004, spawning a sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, in 2007. While neither movie was well received by critics – earning a 46% and 36% approval rating respectively – audiences were much more on board with Cage’s take on the action adventure genre. Despite a third film being discussed from 2008, it has been languishing in development hell thanks to Disney reportedly not being satisfied with any of the scripts provided. In 2022, it seemed that the film had been dealt another blow when TV series National Treasure: Edge of History was announced without the involvement of Cage. However, the series was a disappointment and canceled after just one season.

Now, with National Treasure 3 back on the cards, Turteltaub has shared his view on why Cage has been constantly playing down the idea of a new movie. He told the National Treasure Hunt podcast:

“I would start by saying I don’t know if he’s as pessimistic as you say he is. And if his quotes seemed pessimistic, sometimes “cautious” might be a better word. Or “not keeping his hopes up” is a better way of putting it. One of the reasons Nic feels that way is that he’s been making movies for forty years and that’s exactly how the movie business goes.”

“So I think what Nic is mostly thinking is, he’s heard a thousand times, ‘Oh, we’re getting it made, we’re going to do it. Great, the public wants it.’ And then nothing happens. So when it happens, if it happens, he’s going to be thrilled. It will be great. And I think we’re going to make a good movie from what I can tell.”

Nicolas Cage Does Not Need National Treasure 3 to Happen

While there are many actors who return to their older franchises for nostalgia, the need for something familiar, or even for a career boost, Nicolas Cage has done fine without National Treasure and does not necessarily need the movie to happen. While the actor has had an up and down career, the last few years have seen him delivering several of the best movies of his entire career, including Pig, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Dream Scenario, and he looks certain to be in line for another one with the upcoming horror movie, Longlegs.

Related

10 Dark and Gritty Nicolas Cage Movies

Nic Cage has shown some of his best work in dark and gritty films. From crime thrillers to horror, here are some bleaker films you may have missed.

Between 2021 and 2023, Cage starred in 11 movies, and is already lining up his next run into 2025 with The Surfer, The Gunslingers, and a movie about a young Jesus Christ in which he will play Joseph. Cage was recently announced to also be appearing as Spider-Man Noir in a new live action series, adding to his roster of superhero performances following his stint as Ghost Rider and his appearance as Superman in last year’s The Flash. While there is no doubt that more will be added to this list in the near future, whether National Treasure 3 will be added to the list remains to be seen.