I have loved this movie since the first time I saw it. It's kind of like an Indiana Jones film if Indy was set in the modern day. I feel like the story, the characters, the performances and whole mood and tone of the film are just fantastic.
I didn't much care for the sequel but I wouldn't mind seeing them try again. National Treasure 3, c'mon guys, where is it? God knows Nic Cage needs a big film right now to push him back into the mainstream.
I thought they were planning another sequel, but I have no idea when it's supposed to come out. The second ended with an opening for a third, if I remember correctly ("Did you look at page... in the Book of Secrets?")
shareLet us consult Wikipedia:
In December 2007, before the second film was released, Nicolas Cage showed interest in doing a third film, believing it should be more international. In early 2008, Disney registered the domains for NationalTreasure3DVD.com and NationalTreasure4DVD.com (both sites are now unregistered and the second link redirects). In May 2008, Director Jon Turteltaub said that the filmmaking team would take its time on another National Treasure sequel. In September 2008, Jerry Bruckheimer officially confirmed that they were in the process of developing a third film, and in November of that year, Bruckheimer said that the writers were in the process of writing the script to the film. In May 2010, Bruckheimer said that the first draft of the screenplay was completed.
In a February 2012 interview with Nicolas Cage, Cage stated: "...I have not heard any news about a third one at this time, and it would be interesting to take National Treasure into South America." In a May 2013 interview with Justin Bartha, Bartha stated that a third installment was still a possibility and that scripts have been written. In another interview in April 2014 with Bruckheimer he stated that the first act of National Treasure 3 was complete and "exciting".
On March 4, 2016, Disney CEO Bob Iger responded to a question regarding the third film, saying, "We have done two, and yes they were really fine movies. I know Jerry Bruckheimer who produced them has had conversations with our studio a number of times about it, and there have been some developments along the way, but as of right now we have not green-lit as we say, a National Treasure 3. But I do know there is time and some resources spent on development."
On May 25, 2016, Nicolas Cage confirmed the movie was still in the writing process.
Still waiting. . .
shareHow about now?
shareStill waiting. . .
Though this news just hit in August:
https://www.businessinsider.com/national-treasure-franchise-director-wants-third-movie-fears-disney-streaming-release-2018-8
I wonder why Disney doesn't just sell the franchise or partner with someone while there's still some value to it. Face it, the actors aren't getting any younger. I didn't realize how successful money-wise both films were. Strike while the iron's hot. If Disney doesn't have the resources, let someone else do it.
Agreed. Cage still looks youthful enough, and seems in good enough shape, to reprise the character. But for how long? He's 54.
It's interesting that Turtletaub says there are currently no plans for a third film since, for several years at least, someone was supposedly working on a script. I guess even that is not happening now.
They need to just figure this thing out and make it happen. It's a great franchise. Great concept, great characters, and just a lot of fun.
OP, I agree with your assessment whole-heartedly!
It's a great film! An adventure the audience gets to go on...
The second film... oy!
They tried to bring "General Hummel" (The Rock) into it! SMDH!
Ed Harris sucked! His "villain" in this was an ass hole! And yes, I know villains are supposed to be bad, but in the first, Sean Bean was an asshole, but also a guy the audience could kind of root for. He had charm and one could relate.... He was "fun". A smart character who is doing what he can to keep up with the main character's wits.
Ed Harris in 2 was just a scum bag, probably a pervert, asshole.... I enjoyed when he died. By contrast, when Sean Bean gets arrested at the end of 1, I felt kinda bad for him.... he lost the game.... 3 should bring him back!
2 was life and death, not a game. Not a scavenger hunt. Not fun. And when you kill the "fun" that made the first film, you have a crappy second film.
I want a third, but I want the same adventure and fun from the first.
and fuck ed I have no harris!!!!
I agree, Ed Harris's character was a total douchbag and probably related to John Wilkes Booth. Ben Gates should not have given him any credit for discovering the treasure!