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‘National Treasure’ spin-off TV series heads to Disney Plus

By Kara Santos Published Mar 25, 2021 1:28 pm

Disney Plus has reportedly ordered 10 episodes of a new television series based on the popular National Treasure films. 

As first reported by Deadline, the new show is a reimagining of the film franchise from original producer Jerry Bruckheimer and writers Marianne and Cormac Wibberley. Directed by Mira Nair (Vanity Fair), the new series will "explore identity, community and patriotism through the eyes of Jess Morales, a 20-year-old DREAMer who sets off on an adventure to recover lost treasure and uncover her mysterious family history."

No official casting announcements have been made for the upcoming series, but according to Bruckheimer, the show will keep the same concept as the films while featuring a much younger and more diverse cast.

The historical theatrical-action-mystery films originally starred Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Gates, a treasure hunter and amateur cryptologist on a mission to uncover hidden troves and secrets from US history while evading the government. Throughout his Indiana Jones-style adventures in National Treasure (2004) and National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007), Gates had the the help of his father, Patrick Henry Gates (Jon Voight), girlfriend Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) and loyal friend, Riley Poole (Justin Bartha).

But while Cage may be passing on the torch to a new lead on the small screen, he's still up for facing more adventures in the future.

Jon Turteltaub, who directed the first two films is reportedly working on the long-delayed third installment of the franchise with Nicolas Cage reprising the lead role and original cast members returning. National Treasure 3 was first teased in 2008 and has been in development for over a decade.

As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, the National Treasure series is in line with Disney Plus strategy of developing television series based on well-known IP. In addition to its Star Wars and Marvel properties, the streaming service has current and forthcoming shows with roots in popular films like High School Musical, Turner & Hooch, The Mighty Ducks, Willow and classic series Doogie Howser, M.D.

(Images via Disney)