Jon Turteltaub Says Third ‘National Treasure’ Film Must Confront Modern Political Divisions

Director Jon Turteltaub announced Friday that the long-delayed third installment of the “National Treasure” franchise has achieved script approval from both himself and Disney, marking concrete progress on the Nicolas Cage vehicle. Speaking during a live “National Treasure Hunt” podcast recording in Philadelphia, Turteltaub stated the project is “finally real” after years of development discussions with producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

The original film debuted in 2004, followed by “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” in 2007, both helmed by Turteltaub. The 16-year gap since the sequel reflects shifting cultural attitudes, with the director attributing delays partly to the country’s intensifying political polarization and citing an exchange with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy about partisan perceptions of patriotism.

Turteltaub acknowledged that contemporary political divisions have created complications for a historical fiction series, noting that both Republican and Democratic camps view the franchise through ideological lenses. He described a widening gulf in how Americans perceive patriotism and national identity across party lines.

Despite these challenges, Turteltaub indicated the third film will engage with modern politics rather than avoid the subject entirely. “We have to be very careful, but I don’t feel we are allowed to ignore it,” he stated, adding that the story must incorporate contemporary tensions without alienating viewers.

Turteltaub tempered expectations by joking that production remains uncertain, quipping that unforeseen circumstances could derail the project. Film critic Christian Toto commended the director’s intention to balance political acknowledgment with broad appeal, suggesting that successfully threading this needle could produce the franchise’s strongest entry.