A very patriotic heist. the premise of National Treasure —stealing the Declaration of Independence—has become something of a meme since the film’s release in 2004, but the film remains beloved for its mix of action and adventure.
Directed by Jon Turteltaub, National Treasure follows treasure hunter and cryptographer Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage), who uncovers a plot to steal the Declaration of Independence. No one at the FBI believes him when he tries to warn the agency of the impending theft, so Benjamin takes it upon himself to protect the historical document by stealing it first.
The film was not a critical success when it was released (the late Roger Ebert compared its plot to the Monty Python script), but it was a hit with audiences. While the filmmakers did not initially plan to make a sequel, the film’s box office numbers encouraged the production of National Treasure: Book of SecretsIt hit theaters in December 2007.
Cage reprized his role as Ben alongside the original cast members. diane kruger, justin bartha, jon voight Y harvey keitel as well as newcomer franchises Helen Mirren Y ed harris. the face/off The star hadn’t previously done a sequel to any of his movies, but signed on for book of secrets because he felt it would meet his standard of being “at least as good” as the original.
“I wanted to make sure that we could go in a direction that would raise the stakes and hopefully also be more interesting,” the Oscar winner said of the sequel during a press conference in 2007. “They said, ‘We have to step up the theft. of the Declaration of Independence, so we think you should kidnap the President of the United States.’ … I got nervous. Then I started thinking about it, and I started laughing, and I realized that that was the joy of it, that it was funny and absurd.”
Fifteen years after the release of the first film, a spin-off series titled National Treasure: Edge of History debuted on Disney+. The show introduces a whole new set of characters led by Jess Valenzuela (Lisette Olivera), a history buff who dreams of breaking codes for the FBI.
“They’ve really taken all of these great items that we love and treasure, and they’ve taken them and brought them into the now.” Catherine Zeta-Joneswho plays bad jess, said rant on screen from the show in December 2022. “It’s really incorporating all the good things, and it’s a real family occasion. My niece who is 8 years old would watch this with my mom, with me and my kids in the middle. It is a true roller coaster. A very fun family show.”
Keep scrolling to see where the cast of National Treasure is now:
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Cast of ‘National Treasure’: Where are they now? Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger and more
A very patriotic heist. the premise of National Treasure —stealing the Declaration of Independence—has become something of a meme since the film’s release in 2004, but the film remains beloved for its mix of action and adventure. Directed by Jon Turteltaub, National Treasure follows treasure hunter and cryptographer Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage), who uncovers a plot to steal the Declaration of Independence. No one at the FBI believes him when he tries to warn the agency of the impending theft, so Benjamin takes it upon himself to protect the historical document by stealing it first. The film was not a critical success when it was released (the late Roger Ebert compared its plot to the Monty Python script), but it was a hit with audiences. While the filmmakers did not initially plan to make a sequel, the film’s box office numbers encouraged the production of National Treasure: Book of Secretswhich hit theaters in December 2007. Cage reprized his role as Ben alongside the original cast members. diane kruger, justin bartha, jon voight Y harvey keitel as well as newcomer franchises Helen Mirren Y ed harris. the face/off The star hadn’t previously done a sequel to any of his movies, but signed on for book of secrets because he felt it would meet his standard of being “at least as good” as the original. “I wanted to make sure that we could go in a direction that would raise the stakes and hopefully be more interesting as well,” the Oscar winner said of the sequel during a 2007 press conference. of stealing the Declaration of Independence, so we think you should kidnap the President of the United States.’ … I got nervous. Then I started thinking about it, and I started laughing, and I realized that that was the joy of it, that it was funny and absurd.” Fifteen years after the release of the first film, a spin-off series titled National Treasure: Edge of History debuted on Disney+. The show introduces a whole new set of characters led by Jess Valenzuela (Lisette Olivera), a history buff who dreams of breaking codes for the FBI. “They’ve really taken all of these great items that we love and treasure, and they’ve taken them and brought them into the now.” Catherine Zeta-Joneswho plays bad jess, said rant on screen from the show in December 2022. “It’s really incorporating all the good things, and it’s a real family occasion. My 8-year-old niece would watch this with my mom, me and my kids in the middle. It’s a real roller-coaster ride.” A really fun family show.” Keep scrolling to see where the cast of National Treasure is now:
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Nicolas Cage
The California native never slowed down after National Treasureracking up credits on movies including the wicker man, Kick ass, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Pork Y The unbearable weight of massive talent. In 2021 she presented the Netflix documentary. history of bad words.
the Rock The actor has been married five times. He shares his son Weston with his ex-girlfriend christina fulton and son Kal-El with third wife Alice Kimfrom whom he divorced in 2016. Cage marries Riko Shabbata in February 2021. The couple welcomed their daughter August in September 2022.
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diane kruger
After playing archivist Dr. Abigail Chase, Kruger appeared in Unexpectedly, in the fade, The host Y the 355. In 2010, she was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in Inglorious Bastards.
From 2006 to 2016, Kruger dates joshua jackson. She later moved in with Norman Reedus. The couple welcomed a daughter in November 2018.
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Sean Bean
the Lord of the Rings The actor appeared as crime boss Ian Howe, who initially came up with the idea of stealing the Declaration of Independence. He later starred in movies including Flight plan, north country, mirror mirror Y Jupiter Ascendantgram. In 2011, he played Ned Stark in the first season of game of Thrones. Her other television credits include legends, The oath Y snow drill.
Like Cage, Bean has been married five times. He shares his daughters Lorna and Molly with his second wife. melanie hillwhom he divorced in 1997. UK native and third wife abigail cruttenden welcomed daughter Evie in 1998. Bean has been married to his fifth wife Ashley Moore since 2017.
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justin bartha
Bartha, who played computer expert Riley Poole, starred in the Hangover franchise, as well as driven, Sorry for your loss, the good fight Y godfather of harlem. He is set to reprise his role as Riley in edge of history.
the sacred rollers dated actor ashley olsen from 2007 to 2011. Bartha married lia smithwith whom he shares two daughters, in 2014.
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christopher plummer
the sound of music star, who played Ben’s grandfather John Adams Gates, later starred in Syria, The girl with the dragon tattoo, all the money in the world Y knives out. In 2012, the veteran actor won his first Oscar for his performance in beginners.
Plummer shared daughter amanda plumber — who is also an actor — with his first wife tammy grimeswhom he divorced in 1960. The Canadian native died at age 91 in February 2021.
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harvey keitel
the pulp fiction The actor played FBI agent Peter Sadusky. The prolific star appeared later in just relax, Little Fockers, Moonrise Kingdom, Inglorious Bastards, isle of dogs Y the Irish. He is ready to repeat his National Treasure paper in edge of history.
Keitel shares his daughter Stella with his ex Lorraine Bracowhom she dated from 1982 to 1993. She also shares her son Hudson with Lisa Karmazin. In 2001 she got married daphna kastner. The couple welcomed their son Roman in 2004.
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jon voight
Voight appeared as Ben’s father, Patrick Henry Gates. the Pearl Port the actor later starred in four christmases, transformers, fantastic beasts and where to find them Y tropical thunder. From 2013 to 2020, he played Mickey Donovan on the Showtime series. Ray Donovan.
Oscar winner shares daughter Angelina Jolie and son james haven with the late Marcheline Bertrand, whom he divorced in 1980.