Let's be honest about the state of the hunt. If you’ve spent any time scrolling through your streaming queue lately, you’ve probably noticed a glaring, Ben Gates-sized hole in the lineup. Disney Plus National Treasure content was supposed to be the next big pillar for the platform, a sprawling expansion of the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced universe that defined early 2000s adventure cinema. Instead, we’re left with a single season of a spin-off and a whole lot of "maybe" regarding Nicolas Cage. It’s frustrating. You want the maps on the back of the Declaration of Independence, the dusty Masonic pipes, and the high-stakes historical heists. What you got was a bit more complicated.
The reality of the situation is that the franchise is currently at a massive crossroads. On one hand, you have National Treasure: Edge of History, the series that attempted to pass the torch to a younger generation. On the other, there’s the phantom of National Treasure 3, a project that has been "in development" for so long it’s practically a historical artifact itself.
The Edge of History: Why It Didn't Quite Stick
When National Treasure: Edge of History premiered on Disney Plus, the hype was real. Bringing back Justin Bartha as Riley Poole and Harvey Keitel as Peter Sadusky felt like a solid bridge between the old guard and the new. The show followed Jess Valenzuela, a brilliant DACA recipient played by Lisette Olivera, as she searched for a lost Pan-American treasure.
It wasn't a bad show. Actually, for a certain demographic, it was a fun, puzzle-heavy romp. But for the die-hard fans who grew up on the 2004 original, something felt off. Maybe it was the lack of that specific, frantic energy Nicolas Cage brings to a room. Maybe it was the shift from a globetrotting blockbuster feel to a more localized, teen-drama-adjacent structure. Disney officially canceled the series after just one season in April 2023. The ratings just weren't there to justify the cost of those elaborate set pieces.
Critics and fans alike pointed to a few specific issues. The puzzles felt a bit more "escape room" and a bit less "centuries-old conspiracy." Also, let’s talk about the pacing. A two-hour movie forces a frantic, breathless hunt. A ten-episode series? It tends to meander. You lose that sense of "we have to find this before the FBI catches us in the next five minutes" when there are subplots about high school crushes and internship applications.
What's Really Going On With National Treasure 3?
This is the question that keeps the fandom alive. For years, the narrative was that the script wasn't right. Then it was that Disney wasn't interested in theatrical live-action that wasn't Marvel or Star Wars. Then, suddenly, the tune changed.
Jerry Bruckheimer has been vocal. He's stated multiple times that a script for a third movie exists and that they want Nicolas Cage back. Cage, however, has been a bit more enigmatic. In various interviews over the last two years, his responses have swung from "I'm focusing on indie film" to "never say never." But here is the thing: the demand for Disney Plus National Treasure content is fueled entirely by the nostalgia for Benjamin Franklin Gates. Without him, the brand struggles to maintain its identity.
Recent reports suggest that the script, penned by Chris Bremner (who worked on Bad Boys for Life), is still being tweaked. The goal is to make it feel like a modern blockbuster while retaining the "history teacher with a daredevil streak" vibe that made the first two films work. But there’s a logistical hurdle. Cage is busier now than he has been in a decade, thanks to a massive career resurgence. Coordinating his schedule with Disney's production windows is a nightmare of scheduling proportions.
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The "Disney Plus" Effect on Historical Fiction
Disney Plus changed the way we consume these stories. Originally, National Treasure was a spectacle. You went to the theater to see it. Now, the expectation is that these stories should be accessible at home, leading to a weird dilution of the "event" feel.
Think about the way The Mandalorian revitalized Star Wars. Disney hoped for the same thing here. They wanted a perennial "treasure hunt" show that could run for five seasons. But history-based puzzles are harder to write than space battles. You have to ground them in some semblance of reality—or at least a very convincing lie.
The most successful parts of the Disney Plus National Treasure expansion were the deep cuts into American and Pan-American history. The show took risks by looking at history through the lens of those often left out of the narrative. It was intellectually ambitious. However, streaming audiences are fickle. If the lead isn't a household name, the hook has to be twice as sharp.
Misconceptions About the Cancelation
People think the show failed because people are "tired" of treasure hunts. That’s just wrong. Look at the success of Uncharted at the box office or the perennial popularity of Indiana Jones (even if the latest film had a mixed reception). People love the genre.
The failure of the Disney Plus series was largely a marketing and "tone" mismatch. It was marketed to families and Gen Z, while the core audience for the franchise is now in their 30s and 40s. Those older fans wanted grit, high stakes, and Riley Poole’s sarcasm. They got something that felt a bit more like a Disney Channel Original Movie with a higher budget.
There's also the "Cage Factor." You can't underestimate how much of the first two movies' success relied on Cage’s specific brand of "unhinged intellectual." He makes you believe that stealing the most guarded document in American history is the only logical choice. Without that central, driving force of charismatic madness, the puzzles just feel like homework.
The Real-World History Behind the Fiction
One thing the franchise always got right was the "hook." It used real artifacts to tell fake stories. Whether it's the Resolute Desks or the Charlotte ship in the Arctic, the writers did their homework.
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In the Disney Plus National Treasure series, they leaned into the "Daughters of the Liberty" and the complex history of Mesoamerican treasures. It was a smart move. It expanded the world beyond just the Founding Fathers. If the franchise continues—and there are rumors of a soft reboot—this is the path they'll likely take. They’ll need to balance the "Greatest Hits" of American history with these lesser-known, equally fascinating legends.
The Problem With Pacing
Movies:
- Fast.
- Focused.
- High stakes every 10 minutes.
Streaming Shows:
- Slow burn.
- Character-focused.
- Often "padded" to hit a 10-episode order.
This disparity is why many fans are clamoring for a movie rather than a Season 2 of anything. We want the condensed version. We want the heist.
What You Can Actually Do Right Now
If you're sitting around waiting for a new announcement, you might be waiting a while. Disney is currently in a "quality over quantity" phase, pulling back on the number of original series they produce for Disney Plus. This means National Treasure isn't the priority it was two years ago.
However, the existing content is still a great resource for fans of the genre. If you actually want to engage with the themes of the show, there are better ways to do it than just refreshing a news feed.
1. Revisit the "Edge of History" for the Puzzles
If you skipped it because Cage wasn't in it, give it another shot but skip the first two episodes. It finds its footing around episode four. The way they integrate 3D printing and modern tech into ancient puzzle-solving is actually pretty clever.
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2. Watch the "Making Of" Features
Disney Plus has some hidden gems in the "Extras" tab for the original movies. Seeing how they built the underground sets for the first film is a masterclass in practical effects. It makes you realize why the new series, which used a lot more green screen, felt "lighter."
3. Explore the Real History
The best way to enjoy National Treasure is to look up the stuff they mention. Did you know the "Silence Dogood" letters were real? Benjamin Franklin wrote them when he was 16. Reading the actual text of those letters is arguably more interesting than the movie's interpretation.
4. Track the Producers, Not the Actors
If you want to know when National Treasure 3 is coming, watch Jerry Bruckheimer’s production slate. He’s the engine. When he clears his schedule of projects like Top Gun sequels or Pirates reboots, that’s when the "treasure" moves to the front burner.
The saga of Disney Plus National Treasure is a lesson in brand management. You can have the best IP in the world, but if you don't have the central "soul" of the project—in this case, the specific blend of history, heist, and Cage—it’s a tough sell.
The future is likely a theatrical film that eventually lands on the streaming service. Disney has learned that some stories are too big for the small screen. They need the "oomph" of a cinema release to make the brand feel "National" again. Until then, keep your eyes on the historical footnotes. That’s usually where the best secrets are hiding anyway.
Don't expect a Season 2 of the show. Do expect a lot of "leaked" script details for a third movie over the next eighteen months. The hunt isn't over; it's just paused at a very difficult riddle.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Audit the "Extras": Go to the Disney Plus interface and watch the deleted scenes from Book of Secrets. There's a sub-plot involving a different historical artifact that was cut for time but explains a lot of the logic used in the later half of the film.
- Follow the Scriptwriters: Keep an eye on Chris Bremner’s social media and trade interviews. He is the most reliable source for whether the third movie is actually moving into pre-production.
- Check the "Expiring" Lists: Sometimes Disney licenses out the original films to other streamers for short windows. If you see the original movies leaving Disney Plus, it usually means a new contract is being negotiated, which often coincides with new franchise announcements.
The mystery remains, but the map is starting to get a little clearer.