National Treasure Disney+ Spin-Off Cancelled Already As Cost-Cutting Continues
National Treasure: Edge of History has been cancelled on Disney+ after only one season.
The National Treasure series on Disney+ will not be renewed for a second season. Disney has been tightening its belt (or the buttons on its red shorts?) of late as troubles mount at Marvel, and recent animated offerings Lightyear and Strange World show combined losses upward of $300 million. Deadline reports that the latest cutback includes the adventure series based on the Nicholas Cage films of the same name.
The National Treasure series moved away from Cage’s character, instead following a young adventurer named Jess (Lisette Olivera), the child of US immigrants seeking answers about her family. Along the way, she embarks on a search for the truth about mysteries of the past and a lost Pan-American artifact. While the premise sounds intriguing enough, it might have been a step or two removed from the original films to draw in audiences.
Whatever the problems with National Treasure, the series’ cancellation seems to further signal problems at the Mouse House, where trouble has been brewing for some time. Whether or not Disney goes to war with Florida, there seems to be a lot of conflict within and with fans as the media behemoth struggles to keep up with its own pace. As Disney subsidiary Marvel’s supremacy lags, it appears to be part of a downward spiral across the corporation.
National Treasure is only the latest casualty on Disney+, as Deadline further reports that several series have been cancelled on the streaming service after one or two seasons. Some, such as The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers and Turner & Hooch, were also spin-offs from successful movies owned by Disney. But others, such as Diary of a Future President, The Mysterious Benedict Society, and Big Shot, were new properties the studio had hoped would be successful. And of course, the streaming series and TV arm of the Marvel franchise has seen its own ups and downs as well, with praise for WandaVision and harsh critique for She-Huk: Attorney at Law.
Whether Disney decides to try again to revive the National Treasure franchise with another series, a sequel film, or perhaps a reboot remains to be seen, but we’re guessing that the current moment in their offices is not one characterized by brainstorming new projects. It’s clear that the mammoth that Walt built is shoring up its defenses and licking its wounds while cutting as much weight as possible. Such adjustments are not uncommon in giant corporations, but Disney’s visible problems and teetering posture are catching our attention these days.
If National Treasure is to go by the wayside, at least its creators can have the small comfort of knowing it might not entirely be the series’ fault. As Disney begins working to recoup losses, protect investments, and recover from a slump, we hope its execs will take the time to evaluate the company’s direction, not just as a media powerhouse but as a home for artists who want to tell good stories. When there’s so much money at stake and so many attendant interests to appease, it can be difficult to remember that the creative visions of the company’s artists are its real treasure.
