Talk of a third National Treasure film has circulated for years, fueled by the commercial success of the first two installments. The original National Treasure (2004) grossed over $347 million worldwide, followed by National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) which surpassed it with $459 million. Despite these impressive box office numbers, a sequel never materialized, a common fate for many non-franchise-focused films of that era.
However, in the current Hollywood landscape, where nostalgia and established intellectual property reign supreme, the prospect of National Treasure 3 has gained renewed traction. In August 2026, director Jon Turteltaub, who helmed the first two films, reportedly announced that a script for a third movie had been approved by Disney. This news sparked excitement among fans, but it appears Cage himself was not fully onboard with that public statement.
Speaking at New York Comic-Con, as reported by EcranLarge, Cage addressed Turteltaub's earlier comments, clarifying his own position on the sequel. He recounted, "Jonathan Turteltaub... announces: ‘We’re doing Benjamin Gates 3 and Nic will be part of it.’ I tell myself: ‘No, I haven’t committed to that.’ You really have to take the microphones out of these directors’ hands. We’ll see if I want to embark on the adventure."
Cage then went on to reveal the one storyline that would genuinely entice him back to the role of the history-obsessed treasure hunter. With a mix of humor and pointed social commentary, he stated, "Ben Gates tackling the Epstein files. That’s a movie I’d do."
This provocative remark, while seemingly a jest, alludes to the high-profile Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the persistent public demand for more transparency regarding the unreleased files connected to the deceased financier. Cage's comment highlights a broader sentiment among many who feel that not all information related to the case has been fully disclosed by U.S. authorities.
This isn't the first time Nicolas Cage has voiced his opinions on matters beyond the silver screen. The actor has recently been outspoken against Amazon's use of AI, demonstrating a pattern of unfiltered communication regarding his convictions and frustrations. Whether his National Treasure 3 condition is a serious proposal or a clever way to express a political stance and his reluctance to commit to the project remains to be seen. For now, the future of Benjamin Gates's adventures remains shrouded in mystery, pending an unlikely deep dive into a very real-world conspiracy.
Fans can next see Nicolas Cage in David O. Russell's Madden, set to premiere on November 18, 2026, on Amazon Prime Video.