Magellan’s Treasure Explained: Who are the 18 in Uncharted?

Uncharted is now out in theatres! The film isn’t doing as well as expected but it’s still good fun if you’re looking to get lost in a treasure hunt involving some 16th-century loot.

But sadly, if you’re a fan of the games, this movie may have not lived up to your expectations.

Regardless, there are quite a few aspects about the movie that differ from the games — one of them being “the 18.” Who are the 18? How are they connected to Magellan’s treasure that Nate is seeking out?

In Uncharted, “the 18” refer to the 18 sailors who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on his expeditions. The 18 also uncovered two ships filled with treasure, which they later hid. Nate and Sully try to retrace the 18’s steps to find this very treasure.

This adventure will also go on to serve as Nate’s origin story in the movie. But first, let me tell you how Magellan’s treasure, the 18 and Nate are connected in Uncharted.

Magellan’s Treasure Explained

At the beginning of the movie, orphans Nate and Sam are shown trying to steal a map as kids. The map, Sam explains, will lead them to Ferdinand Magellan’s hidden treasure.

The museum guard catches them and this inevitably gets Sam kicked out of their orphanage. Since he’s older, the orphanage doesn’t have to put up with his delinquencies.

Sam leaves but not before giving Nate a ring with the inscription “Sic Parvis Magna,” on it. This translates to “Thus great things from small things come.”

Despite being separated from his brother and failing to meet him over the years, Nate keeps the adventure and hope alive in his heart — Especially what Sam has told him about the Magellan expedition and all the treasures it holds.

Here’s where you’ll the term “the 18” being thrown around a lot.

Simply put, there were eighteen sailors who travelled with Ferdinand Magellan on his expedition. (To clarify, this is just in the Uncharted movie universe, not the real world.) “the 18” were also the ones who found two ships filled with treasures.

Then, of course, the 18 hid the ships and their treasures in hopes to recover it back someday. The treasures would be worth $5 billion in current times.

In the present day, Nate has grown up and is a bartender who pickpockets his wealthy patrons. He is scouted by Sully, who not only wants him aboard to find the Magellan’s treasure but also has clues about Sam’s whereabouts.

Turns out, Sam never gave up on his own expedition and had even worked with Sully to uncover the location of the 18’s “lost” treasure ships.

Is Magellan’s Treasure Real?

No, Magellan did not find or hide any treasures on his expeditions. Unless you count mapping out trade routes to be worth $5 billion.

But all of you who played the game will know that the movie was loosely based on Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (though you can clearly see some similarities to Drake’s Fortune and Drake’s Deception).

In the game, Nate is on the hunt for pirate Henry Avery’s treasure, a real-life person whose treasure is yet unfound. But still, it wasn’t worth billions.

So the movie simply swapped Avery for Magellan and created a new canon.

Magellan’s expedition has not been covered in the games but it will serve as Nate’s origin story in Uncharted’s movie universe.

About Uncharted

Uncharted is an upcoming American film based on the action-adventure game series of the same name created by Amy Hennig, developed by Naughty Dog, and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The film stars Tom Holland as Nathan Drake, and Mark Wahlberg as his mentor Victor Sullivan, along with a supporting cast that includes Antonio Banderas, Sophia Taylor Ali, and Tati Gabrielle.

The adaptation follows the adventures of treasure hunter and fortune seeker Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) as he sets off to uncover the truths behind numerous mythical treasures and lost cities, resulting in clashes with rival hunters and thieves.