After years of uncertainty and speculation, producer Jerry Bruckheimer has given fans a long-awaited update on National Treasure 3. In a recent interview with TheWrap, Bruckheimer confirmed that the film is actively moving forward, with both Nicolas Cage and original director Jon Turteltaub expected to return.
“We’re getting closer on that one,” Bruckheimer said, fueling optimism among moviegoers who have spent nearly two decades waiting for another treasure-hunting adventure with Ben Gates.
The original National Treasure debuted in 2004 and quickly became one of Nicolas Cage’s most beloved roles. With his signature intensity and charm, Cage’s portrayal of the historian and adventurer Benjamin Franklin Gates helped the film gross over $347 million worldwide.
The sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, followed in 2007, expanding on the franchise’s love of American history and cryptic clues. It was another major success, grossing $459 million, though a third installment stalled repeatedly afterward.
Now, Bruckheimer’s latest tease marks the most concrete sign yet that Disney’s adventure franchise could finally be finding its next chapter.
Fans have heard rumors before, but this time, the experienced producer’s confidence stands out. He not only hinted that Nicolas Cage is part of active conversations about returning but also noted that development has not slowed since 2024.
Jerry Bruckheimer Confirms National Treasure 3 Is in the Works
Although rumors about National Treasure 3 have circulated for years, solid updates were hard to come by until recently. Bruckheimer’s latest remarks confirm that the project remains very much alive.
He also expressed that the Disney+ spinoff series, National Treasure: Edge of History, played an important role in keeping the fanbase engaged, even though it did not feature the original cast.
When asked if he was disappointed by the franchise’s shift to television, Bruckheimer was clear in his response: “No, it was completely different. We wanted to keep the name alive in the public eye and the zeitgeist.”
His comment suggests that the series served its purpose not to replace Cage’s films, but to keep the concept visible while the third movie continued development.
Longtime fans who followed the project’s saga will remember previous updates from writer Ted Elliot and director Jon Turteltaub.
Back in August 2024, Elliot revealed during an appearance on the National Treasure Hunt podcast that a first draft of the National Treasure 3 script was completed, featuring the return of Ben Gates, Abigail Chase (played by Diane Kruger), and Riley Poole (played by Justin Bartha).
That announcement excited loyal fans who had been waiting for a proper reunion of the original team. Yet, even at that time, Nicolas Cage himself was hesitant to confirm his involvement.
In early 2024, he expressed doubt that Disney had serious plans to move forward, bluntly telling ScreenRant, “No, there is no National Treasure 3. If you want to find treasure, don’t look at Disney, okay? It’s not there.”
Bruckheimer’s new remarks suggest the studio never gave up entirely, perhaps continuing development quietly in the background as the creative team refined the script and scheduling possibilities.
Why National Treasure 3 Took So Long
The long gap since Book of Secrets has puzzled many fans, especially because the second movie ended with a notable cliffhanger involving “page 47” of the President’s Book of Secrets, a mysterious subplot that begged for resolution.
Despite the cliffhanger, development hurdles, shifting studio priorities, and Disney’s evolving streaming strategies all contributed to the delay.
After the early 2010s, the franchise essentially went dormant, resurfacing briefly with discussions around a potential reboot or television event. However, many viewers felt that National Treasure was synonymous with Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of Ben Gates, making it difficult to replicate the same magic without his involvement.
The release of National Treasure: Edge of History on Disney+ in 2022 tested the franchise’s continued appeal. While the show introduced a new cast and storyline set in the same universe, it lasted only one season before being canceled.
The series did, however, prove that audiences were still hungry for fresh treasure-hunting adventures, especially if they featured familiar faces from the original duo of films.
Now, as Bruckheimer and Disney revisit the project, the goal appears to be bringing the story full circle with its original stars in place. Even if the production timeline stretches further, the combination of Cage, Kruger, and Bartha would give National Treasure 3 a sense of closure that fans have wanted for years.
When Could Fans Expect the Sequel?
Given the scale of the National Treasure movies with their historical settings, elaborate puzzles, and globe-spanning treasure hunts, such an extended timeline isn’t surprising.
These films rely heavily on complex production design, location scouting, and historical research, elements that help establish their unique mix of fact and fiction.
National Treasure 3 (Credit: Walt Disney Pictures)
The return of both Jon Turteltaub and Nicolas Cage would likely fast-track the process. Turteltaub, who directed both prior entries, has often said he remains ready to finish what they started if Disney gives the official go-ahead.
His dynamic partnership with Cage is a key reason the first two entries succeeded so strongly, mixing humor, intelligence, and energy into adventurous storytelling.
Cage’s return would be particularly significant. The actor has experienced a major career resurgence over the last few years, with acclaimed performances in Pig, Dream Scenario, and Mandy reminding audiences of his range and talent.
Seeing him return as Ben Gates could become one of the defining nostalgia moments of late-2020s cinema.
Why Nicolas Cage Is Key to the Franchise’s Comeback
More than any clue or historical reference, what made National Treasure resonate with audiences was Cage’s performance. His blend of intellect, intensity, and dry humor made Ben Gates, one of his most memorable roles half-historian, half-action hero, and fully committed to the chase.
Cage’s chemistry with his co-stars, particularly Diane Kruger and Justin Bartha, became central to the series’ tone. Their dynamic combined intelligence with lighthearted quips, helping the franchise appeal to viewers of all ages.
Without Cage, both films would have lacked the kind of earnest energy that turned historical exposition into cinematic excitement.
The Future of the Treasure-Hunting Saga
With renewed momentum and nostalgic enthusiasm growing online, National Treasure 3 could mark a major return for one of Disney’s most beloved live-action franchises.
Modern audiences have embraced reboots and legacy sequels, and this project fits perfectly into that trend, bridging generations through historical mystery and adventure.
If development continues on schedule, Disney will have an opportunity to reintroduce National Treasure to both longtime fans and younger viewers.
Whether the story follows the president’s mysterious page or introduces an all-new treasure, the key is maintaining the heart that made the originals special: an intelligent adventure led by a character whose curiosity knows no limits.
Jerry Bruckheimer’s confidence suggests that Disney’s long-buried treasure may finally be found. After years of uncertainty, hope is once again alive for National Treasure 3 and for fans who never stopped believing Nicolas Cage would once again answer history’s call.
After years of uncertain updates, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is starting to look like a real possibility again. During a recent appearance at TheWrap’s The Grill conference, veteran producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that Margot Robbie remains attached to star in a new Pirates of the Caribbean project.
His confirmation has reignited enthusiasm among fans who had been wondering if the buzzy female-led reboot had quietly sunk.
Robbie’s involvement in the franchise first surfaced in 2020, sparking excitement over Disney’s plans to introduce a new lead and storyline set within the Pirates universe.
However, delays, changes in creative teams, and Disney’s reassessment of the series after Johnny Depp’s departure left the project in limbo. Bruckheimer’s new update, though, paints a far more hopeful picture: “She’s still involved. We’re working on a script,” he said, stating that development has restarted.
The producer revealed that at one point, two separate scripts were in contention, but only one has moved forward. He explained, “We had two scripts at one point, and then one kind of dropped out, and we kind of went with the other one.”
Bruckheimer also confirmed that franchise veteran Ted Elliot, who co-wrote the earlier Pirates of the Caribbean films, contributed to the script, while another writer was brought in to fine-tune it.
This latest update suggests that Disney isn’t abandoning its most lucrative live-action franchise but rather searching for a fresh way to steer it.
More than eight years since the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017, the series might be ready for a creative overhaul, and who better to lead that charge than Margot Robbie?
Why Margot Robbie Is Perfect for the Next Pirates Era
Margot Robbie’s steady rise as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars makes her a natural choice to headline a revived Pirates franchise. From The Wolf of Wall Street to Barbie, Robbie has shown an uncanny ability to mix humor, intelligence, and charm, all qualities the Pirates series thrives on.
With her in the lead, Disney could anchor the franchise’s next phase around a mix of empowerment and adventure rather than relying solely on the past formula centered on Captain Jack Sparrow.
Robbie’s star power has only grown since she was first linked to Pirates of the Caribbean. Her recent success as both lead actress and producer of Barbie proved she can command global box office attention and bring a distinct personality to a project.
Fans are therefore eager to see how she interprets the high-seas spirit of the Pirates saga without copying what came before.
The creative shift also aligns with Hollywood’s larger movement toward more inclusive storytelling. Reports about the upcoming Pirates project suggest that Robbie’s film will focus on a new crew of adventurers led by a bold and resourceful protagonist.
Though Disney hasn’t shared plot details, the approach could introduce a new world of eccentric pirates, rival captains, and mystical adventures that fit comfortably beside the legacy stories while opening new creative paths.
Bruckheimer, who has overseen every Pirates of the Caribbean installment since 2003, knows that Robbie’s charisma and audience approval give this reboot a major advantage.
He seems genuinely eager to get the new film right rather than rushing it into production just to meet fan demand. His comment that they “won’t move forward until [they] are satisfied” confirms that quality remains the top priority.
The Future of the Franchise Under Jerry Bruckheimer’s Guidance
Since the first Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl debuted over 20 years ago, the franchise has been both a creative and commercial triumph for Disney.
Each film combined humor and wild imagination with blockbuster spectacle, largely anchored by Johnny Depp’s Academy Award-nominated performance as Captain Jack Sparrow. However, after five films, many critics and fans agreed that the series had started to drift without a strong new direction.
When Bruckheimer teased multiple projects being developed simultaneously in 2022, some assumed one would feature Robbie’s new protagonist while the other might revisit the previous timeline.
Now, his confirmation that Robbie’s project is still alive signals that the female-led version could be the primary focus of Disney’s next expansion of the franchise.
Bruckheimer also emphasized that the studio’s brief move to television through Pirates of the Caribbean: Edge of History served an important role. “No, it was completely different.
We wanted to keep the name alive in the public eye,” he explained, adding that even a short-lived series contributed to keeping the franchise relevant. Though Disney canceled the show after one season, its existence reminded audiences that Pirates still has devoted fans ready for its cinematic comeback.
With Robbie now confirmed to still be part of the plan, and Elliot’s involvement ensuring narrative continuity, the pieces are coming together for a potential revival that respects the franchise’s roots while offering something new.
Johnny Depp’s Possible Future in the Series
One major question remains at the center of every Pirates of the Caribbean discussion: Will Johnny Depp ever return as Captain Jack Sparrow? His absence from Robbie’s version has fueled speculation that the franchise may completely move on.
In past interviews, Bruckheimer has expressed admiration for Depp’s contribution to the series, even saying in 2022 that he hoped the actor might reprise his role someday.
Pirates of the Caribbean 6 (Credit: Walt Disney Pictures)
However, the complexities surrounding Depp’s career in recent years have made any return uncertain. Given the studio’s quiet stance on the matter, it’s possible the two projects, one starring Robbie and the other tied to the traditional Pirates continuity, might proceed independently.
Still, many fans hold onto hope that Depp could appear in some capacity, even if just a cameo connecting the old and new generations. Such a crossover could create a smooth handoff between timelines, similar to legacy sequels seen in other long-running franchises.
A Franchise Ready for Reinvention
It has been nearly a decade since the last Pirates movie sailed into theaters, and Disney appears to be using this time wisely. Revisiting the franchise with a new star and refreshed storyline could reignite public interest while resetting the creative tone.
The secret to the original series’s success was its combination of unpredictable characters, supernatural tales, and treacherous adventure. Robbie’s Pirates film has the potential to recapture that spark while introducing a distinctly modern energy.
Bruckheimer’s track record of iconic franchises is a reassuring sign. From Top Gun: Maverick to Bad Boys for Life, he has repeatedly proven that reviving older properties can succeed when handled with respect and innovation.
His careful, incremental approach to developing Pirates of the Caribbean 6 suggests he understands how crucial it is to deliver a film worthy of the name.
Robbie’s confirmed involvement reaffirms that the franchise isn’t ready to be retired. Instead, Pirates might be poised for a new cinematic wave anchored by a different kind of hero, one whose charm, cunning, and ambition could redefine the series for a fresh generation of viewers.
For now, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 remains in development, but all signs indicate the ship is steering in the right direction. The combination of Disney’s commitment, Bruckheimer’s faith, and Robbie’s unmatched star appeal makes for an adventure worth the wait.
With the horizon now clearer than it has been in years, the Pirates saga seems ready to chart a new course one treasure map at a time.
