During a live recording of the “National Treasure Hunt” podcast in Philadelphia, director Jon Turteltaub announced that a script for “National Treasure 3” has been completed and approved by Disney. The filmmaker, who also directed the 2004 original and its 2007 sequel, said the project has finally become “real” after years of speculation.
Political climate cited as a factor
Turteltaub explained that the growing political divide in the United States has made it harder to move forward with the historical‑adventure series. He referenced a recent conversation with former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, noting that both sides have expressed surprise that a franchise about American history would be produced by a studio perceived as aligned with the opposite party.
“He, like others, were surprised that Democrats made that movie because Democrats can’t be patriots,” Turteltaub said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. He added that Democrats have accused Republicans of wanting to “keep stuff to themselves, they hate everybody, they want to kill everyone,” highlighting the partisan rhetoric surrounding the film’s development.
Balancing story and current events
While offering few specifics about the plot, Turteltaub said the sequel will inevitably need to reflect modern politics. “We have to be very careful, but I don’t feel we are allowed to ignore it,” he told the audience. “I think we have to include that idea in the story somehow without making someone feel put off.”
Film critic Christian Toto, founder of Hollywood in Toto, remarked that the franchise’s legacy of celebrating U.S. history makes the decision to address contemporary politics a “sad sign of the times.” He suggested that the film could succeed if it manages to acknowledge the political divide while delivering a fresh adventure.
Production still uncertain
Despite the script’s approval, production on the third installment has not yet begun. Turteltaub joked that Hollywood’s unpredictability could still affect the project, saying, “If I get hit by a bus, there’s probably a ‘National Treasure 3.'” Disney has not responded to requests for comment.
The announcement adds to ongoing speculation about how major studios will navigate a culturally polarized environment while reviving beloved franchises.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
