‘National Treasure 3’ Director Suggests Politics Won’t Be ‘Ignored’ In New Film

Any movie fans hoping to escape politics for two hours while enjoying a piece of entertainment are bound to be disappointed by “National Treasure 3.”

The third installment of the Nicholas Cage-led franchise will likely address America’s political divide, according to director Jon Turteltaub. 

After confirming that the third film is “finally real” and has an approved script during a “National Treasure Hunt” podcast recording last week, Turteltaub said it’s been hard to work on the project due to rising political tension. He mentioned a conversation with former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) about the previous “National Treasure” films.

“He, like others, were surprised that Democrats made that movie because Democrats can’t be patriots,” Turteltaub said, per The Philadelphia Inquirer. “That’s the thought and it just got worse. And on the Democrats’ side: ‘Oh, Republicans, they just want to keep stuff to themselves, they hate everybody, they want to kill everyone, and blah blah blah.'”

Without giving any specifics, the director alluded to the heightened political divisions — especially on social media — being part of the storyline.

“We have to be very careful, but I don’t feel we are allowed to ignore it,” Turteltaub said. “I think we have to include that idea in the story somehow without making someone feel put off.”

Daily Wire contributor Christian Toto said Turteltaub’s comments sum up the “sad” reality of where America is in 2026.

“It sounds like Turteltaub, a veteran Hollywood director who isn’t known for his political views, was accurately assessing how Hollywood views patriotism and the political divide,” Toto told Fox News. “It’s actually a sad sign of the times — a franchise about U.S. history is now seen as problematic or challenging, when it should be nothing of the kind.”

“A franchise like this would be best served staying apolitical, and the director’s comments suggest a way to thread the needle between acknowledging our political chasm and moving forward with a fresh new story,” he added. “Heck, if that delicate balance works, it might be the biggest film in the franchise.”

“National Treasure” (2004) features Cage as historian Benjamin Franklin Gates, who is working to decipher hidden codes in the nation’s founding documents and landmarks to uncover fortunes. “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” was released in 2007. Both films are popular for blending mystery, adventure, and a deep dive into history.