Most people who hit up streaming services are hoping to find entertainment treasures, though usually in a metaphorical sense as opposed to something more literal. It sounds like Disney+ subscribers will be experiencing the latter, though, as Hollywood mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed a brand new National Treasure TV series is in the works for the still-growing streaming service.
With the long-gestating National Treasure 3 getting confirmed earlier this year, audiences probably didn't think the adventure series would be expanding any further, but Jerry Bruckheimer is here to flip those expectations upside-down. (And there might just be a previously undiscovered page from The Constitution hidden on the back of one of those expectations.) Here's how Bruckheimer explained it to Collider:
We’re certainly working on one [National Treasure] for streaming and we’re working on one for the big screen. Hopefully, they’ll both come together and we’ll bring you another National Treasure, but they’re both very active.
News of a new National Treasure TV show might possible cause some to think that plans for the third movie have been put on hold, but that's not the case at all. Disney is looking to play up the family-friendly franchise across both mediums. And with any luck, the new movie and TV show will inspire more of those historical tie-in novels.
Though they may share a title, it doesn't sound like Disney+'s National Treasure will share any cast members with the Nicolas Cage-fronted films. Here's what else Jerry Bruckheimer had to say:
The one for Disney+ is a much younger cast. It’s the same concept but a young cast. The one for theatrical would be the same cast.
Obviously, Jerry Bruckheimer was keeping things close to the vest as far as details go for National Treasure's TV future. His comment about the younger cast does highlight one of the biggest questions surrounding this new project: is it still going to be about the Gates family? Clearly, the movies are wholly structured around Nicolas Cage's artifact-adoring Ben Gates and how intertwined the family lineage is with U.S. history. But will the TV show use that as a launching pad to introduce another family who is also connected to weird conspiracies and historical mysteries? Could it be a full-on prequel showcasing some of the Gates family's ancestors? Hopefully more details get revealed soon.
Perhaps non-coincidentally, National Treasure was taken off of Netflix in April 2020. That may be an indication of Disney's intent on making the franchise a Disney+ exclusive for the future.
Considering the state of the theatrical experience these days, plenty of conversations have been had about Hollywood studios potentially bringing more high-profile fare direct to streaming, either through rentals or purchases. By doubling-down on the IP and creating a new series that's exclusive to streaming, it doesn't sound like Disney is thinking very hard about potentially going the on-demand route with National Treasure 3. Time could always change things, of course, but for now, get ready for this universe to branch out in big ways.
Due to it still being in the development process, the small screen's National Treasure doesn't yet have any future plans laid out, but stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more about the exciting TV spinoff as it becomes available, as well as news about other big Disney+ projects, such as the Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series and the Mighty Ducks TV revival.
