With the upcoming National Treasure: Edge of History TV series hitting Disney+ in December 2022, the question of whether Nicolas Cage will be involved has echoed across the internet. Nicolas Cage was the star of the original National Treasure film series and has more recently enjoyed success with Pig and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. As the National Treasure franchise prepares to continue on Disney+, an opportunity for Cage's Benjamin Gates return presents itself.
The National Treasure: Edge of History TV series takes place in the same universe as the films. As well as Harvey Keitel's reprisal of FBI Agent Sadusky and the inclusion of the Benjamin Franklin glasses previously owned by Nicolas Cage's character, details from the National Treasure TV show trailer reassure fans that the new story is connected to the original movies. Sadly, executive producer Marianne Wibberley confirmed at SDCC 2022 that Nicolas Cage will not make an appearance in National Treasure: Edge of History season 1 due to his schedule.
Will Nicolas Cage Return For National Treasure 3?
The most recent National Treasure movie, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, released in 2007. Although rumblings of a third entry have been almost constant since then, National Treasure 3 struggled to gain developmental momentum. The threequel has since been overtaken by National Treasure: Edge of History as a continuation of the franchise, but even if Nicolas Cage is absent from season 1, the potential for a third movie provides another route for his return as Benjamin Gates.
According to recent reports, discussions have taken place at Disney about Nicolas Cage returning to National Treasure in a new project. Whether the project in question is a future season of Disney+'s National Treasure: Edge of History TV venture or a full-blown National Treasure 3 remains unclear. With Nicolas Cage confirmed as not appearing in the upcoming National Treasure: Edge of History season 1, however, the latter seems to be the most likely outcome at present. Given Nicolas Cage's recent resurgence, starring in a cinematic release would arguably make more sense than a small role on Disney+.
Not Even A Cameo From Nic Cage In Edge Of History?
It seems highly likely that National Treasure: Edge of History producers would have hoped for a Benjamin Gates cameo from Nicolas Cage, especially with Justin Bartha returning as Riley Poole. Sure enough, executive producers Cormac and Marianne Wibberley have reiterated their desire to recruit Nicolas Cage for a cameo in future National Treasure TV show seasons. That Cage's exclusion from National Treasure: Edge of History was seemingly based on scheduling conflicts instead of creative differences also implies there is still a chance Benjamin Gates could make a future appearance.
Nicolas Cage may not be coming back for National Treasure: Edge of History just yet, but there is still hope for his eventual return. The Wibberleys were also writers of the original National Treasure films, and with the duo now back at the helm, Disney seems to have its heart set on continuing National Treasure with Cage in place as its figurehead. As National Treasure returns to prominence, it makes sense that the treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates would be present somewhere along the journey.