National Treasure 3 still hasn't happened. Given the success of the National Treasure movies, the fact that National Treasure 3 has remained in development hell for this long is surprising.

Instead of National Treasure 3, a series titled National Treasure: Edge of History which didn't star Nicolas Cage was created. Unfortunately, the show received disappointing reviews from critics and was canceled only after one season. The future of National Treasure 3 has been uncertain for years. Cage and Diane Kruger have hinted at the fact that the movie might never happen. If National Treasure 3 were to materialize, though, it will have a major plot challenge to resolve.

What Could National Treasure 3’s Mission Possibly Be After The Plots Of 1 & 2?

National Treasure 3 Might Be About Page 47

In the first National Treasure movie, Benjamin, Riley, and Abigail have to find the Freemason’s lost treasure using a map that was hidden at the back of the United States Declaration of Independence. The trio had to solve a myriad of American history-based clues while simultaneously trying to outsmart Ian Howe (Sean Bean), the villain in the movie. The second installment in the franchise, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, had the treasure hunters traveling around the world to prove that one of Benjamin's ancestors was not involved in the death of Abraham Lincoln.

Both the National Treasure movies had fun, gripping missions. Since National Treasure: Book of Secrets ended on a cliffhanger with Benjamin reading what's on page 47 of the President's Book, National Treasure 3 will likely reveal what he found. Page 47 could hold clues that would lead Benjamin and his companions on a mission to find another lost American treasure. Alternatively, the third installment in the franchise could experiment with a fresh plot that doesn't necessarily have to be all about American history.

National Treasure 3’s Premise Being As Bizarre As The Previous Ones Would Make It Worth It

National Treasure 3 Should Have More Complex Clues

Harvey Keitel and Nicolas Cage in National Treasure 2 Book of Secrets

I have been waiting for a National Treasure 3 movie since the mysterious ending of National Treasure: Book of Secrets and I hope it will be as bizarre as the previous installments in the franchise. The reason National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets worked so well was because they employed concepts that made the films entertaining from start to finish. Very few things could beat stealing the United States Declaration of Indepence or convincing a president to explore secret tunnels.

Feature image of Nicolas in National Treasure
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One of the best things about the National Treasure movies were the impossible to solve puzzles. National Treasure 3 has to be bigger and bolder when it comes to the puzzles and clues in the movie. Granted, the clues in the previous installments already seemed like they were impossible to solve, but that should serve as motivation for National Treasure 3 to make the clues and puzzles more complex.

Will National Treasure 3 With Nicolas Cage Ever Happen?

Nicolas Cage's National Treasure 3 Future Is Uncertain

Benjamin and Abigail reading a clue in National Treasure

Nicolas Cage's portrayal of Benjamin Gates contributed to why the National Treasure franchise was a box office success, so a third installment of the movie without the Face Off actor probably wouldn't garner as much excitement. Over the years, there have been discussions about a National Treasure 3 with Cage reprising his role as Benjamin Gates. Ted Elliot, the National Treasure 3 screenwriter has teased that he would like Cage to return to his role in the franchise along with Diane Kruger and Justin Bartha. Aside from Cage, other familiar faces including Sean Bean could return in National Treasure 3.

The producer stated that a script for the threequel was completed and it was going to send it to Cage to see if he liked it.

While promoting Tom Cruise's Tom Gun: Maverick, Jerry Buckheinmer, the director of the National Treasure movies conducted an interview with Comic Book where he was asked to clarify what the future of National Treasure 3 was. The producer stated that a script for the threequel was completed and it was going to send it to Cage to see if he liked it. “Let's hope we're working on the script right now. Hopefully [Cage] likes it, but it's really good. So I think we'll get it to him shortly,” said Buckheinmer. Whether Cage will star in National Treasure 3 is still uncertain, but I for one would like to see him solving fun and seemingly impossible history-based clues again.

Sources: Comic Book

National Treasure vertical
National Treasure
Created by
Jim Kouf, Oren Aviv, Charles Segars
First Film
National Treasure

The National Treasure franchise follows the adventures of Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and amateur cryptologist, as he uncovers hidden treasures linked to American history. The series combines historical myths and legends with action-adventure elements, leading Gates on thrilling treasure hunts across various significant landmarks.