(Image Source: Walt Disney Studios)
Director Jon Turteltaub of the "National Treasure" franchise attended a fan weekend event in Philadelphia, where he dropped an exclusive bombshell: "National Treasure 3" is officially moving forward.
Turteltaub told the crowd that they were the first to hear his public announcement, emphasizing that while it's "Hollywood official" – meaning anything can still happen – the project is indeed on track. He quipped that if star Nicolas Cage were to get hit by a car, the film would be off, but if he himself were, it would likely still proceed, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the industry.
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Turteltaub teased that a script exists that both he and Disney are very pleased with. He also confirmed their intention to bring back the entire original cast, including Nicolas Cage.
Turteltaub explained that one significant reason for the third installment's lengthy delay was the current political landscape in the United States. He recounted a surprising call from former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (pictured above), who requested a private screening of "National Treasure" for Congress. Turteltaub noted that McCarthy and others were reportedly astonished that Democrats would produce such a film, as they seemingly believed Democrats couldn't be patriotic. He added that this sentiment only worsened, with the Democratic side similarly generalizing, suggesting Republicans only want to monopolize resources, hate everyone, and wish to eliminate others.
Turteltaub further pointed out how easily people are influenced by online environments, leading to rapid political interpretations and immediate partisan alignment. He confirmed that "National Treasure 3" would incorporate this phenomenon into its narrative. He stressed the need for careful handling, stating that while they couldn't ignore it, they had to integrate it into the story in a way that wouldn't alienate any audience members.