National Treasure | |
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Created by |
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Original work | National Treasure (2004) |
Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
Years | 2004–present |
Print publications | |
Book(s) |
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Films and television | |
Film(s) |
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Television series | National Treasure: Edge of History (2022–2023) |
The National Treasure franchise consists of American historical fiction action-adventures, including two released theatrical films, a prequel book series, and a television series set 20 years after the films. Future installments, notably a third film, have been under consideration for many years. The plot of the films and books centers around the Gates family – treasure hunters who search for and preserve lost valuables from the history of the United States of America – while the TV series references this background and features some common characters.
The first film was a financial success at the box office. [1] While it was met with mixed reviews by critics, who compared the movie unfavorably to Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code , [2] [3] [4] [5] audience response was positive, and the film has gained a positive legacy. [6] [7] The second film was also met with mixed critical reception, and had specific criticism directed at its use of similar plot devices, [8] [9] believability, [10] and pacing. [11] The film was met with positive response from audiences and made significant ticket revenue at the box office, and profit then and from further distribution for The Walt Disney Company. [1] [12] [13] [14]
The television series for Disney+ was developed in the 2020s, releasing globally mid- December 2022, while a third film has been under discussion for more than ten years. [15] [16]
Film | U.S. release date | Director | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Producer(s) | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Treasure | November 19, 2004 | Jon Turteltaub | Jim Kouf, Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley | Jim Kouf, Oren Aviv & Charles Segars | Jon Turteltaub & Jerry Bruckheimer | Released |
National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets | December 21, 2007 | Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley | Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Gregory Poirier, Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley | |||
Untitled third film | TBA | TBA | Chris Bremner | Jerry Bruckheimer | In development |
Benjamin "Ben" Franklin Gates is a member of a family of treasure hunters. At a young age, his grandfather tells him the legend of the hidden treasures of the Founding Fathers of the USA. His grandfather teaches him that the men and women of American history buried the treasure somewhere within the country and have hidden highly cryptic clues throughout various lands within the nation's borders.
Years later, after a dead-end in the family's momentum of discovery and generations of failed attempts to progress the research, the Gates family has publicly acquired a reputation of conspiracy theorists who profess myth. Ben, however, believes he has found a new lead to solve the mystery of the treasure, which will allow him to prove that his family's legacy isn't a joke. One of the clues lead him to believe a map is on the back of the Declaration of Independence. In a race to find the historical discovery and to preserve it in a national museum, Ben must outpace the villainous plans of his former associate-turned-enemy named Ian Howe. Meanwhile, the FBI grows suspicious of his actions. Upon learning that Ian intends to take the document and find the treasure for personal gain, Ben decides to steal the file himself in order to preserve it, as well as the national treasure.
In this head-to-head to save history, Ben is accompanied by his close friend Riley Poole and Dr. Abigail Chase. [17]
Several years since Benjamin "Ben" Franklin Gates found the Knight's Templar national treasure and gained fame and wealth from a self-imposed minimal 1% finder's fee, the Gates family finds themselves once again defending their family name.
Competing scavenger Mitch Wilkinson claims that he has learned from a fragment of a missing page of John Wilkes Booth's diary, that the Gates family ancestor was a conspirator to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Together the Gates family contends with Wilkinson, who also states that hints to the whereabouts of the Lost City of Gold were found in the journal. Outraged by his familial claims Ben, his ex-girlfriend Abigail, and his best friend Riley (who has become a famous writer), travel the globe to France, England, and Washington, D.C. where their plans escalate. Along the way the team collect clues to redeem the family name, and to prove his honor.
In D.C., Ben must kidnap the President in order to keep him safe from Wilkinson, and to look within the fabled President's Secret Book to solve the mystery. [18]
In May 2008, director and producer Jon Turteltaub stated that the filmmakers involved with the series will take their time in developing another National Treasure sequel. [19] By September 2008, producer Jerry Bruckheimer officially confirmed that a third film is under development, [20] with a script being written that November. [21] In May 2010, Bruckheimer stated that the first draft of the screenplay was completed. [22] In May 2016, Nicolas Cage confirmed the film was still undergoing rewrites and fact-checking their historical accuracy during the process of being developed. [23] In September 2017, Bruckheimer revealed that a script was completed, but Disney was not satisfied with the story. [24] By July 2018, Turtletaub reiterated that a script was "close", but that Disney was still not on board with the story. [25]
In January 2020, after years of being in development hell, a third film was officially in development with Chris Bremner hired to write a new script. [15] In May, Bruckheimer stated that the intent is for all of the original cast from the previous films reprise their respective roles. [26] By March 2022, Nicolas Cage stated that he has not yet seen the script, [27] [28] casting doubt on the realization of a third film. [29] In April of the same year, the actor indicated that the film had been delayed with The Walt Disney Company favoring the television series instead. [30] In August 2022, Bruckheimer stated that the script had been finished and was being sent to Cage for approval. [31]
In March 2024, Cage stated he had no interest in returning for a third film. [32]
Series | Season | Episodes | Originally released | Showrunner(s) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First released | Last released | Network | |||||
National Treasure: Edge of History | 1 | 10 | December 14, 2022 | February 8, 2023 | Disney+ | Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley [16] |
In May 2020, Jerry Bruckheimer announced that a Disney+ exclusive streaming services television series was in development. The series would feature a younger cast, with the pilot episode scripted and the additional episodes outlined. [33] By March 2021, the series was green-lit with a 10-episode order from The Walt Disney Company. Co-written by Marianne and Cormac Wibberley, the pilot episode would be directed by Mira Nair.
The series follows a Hispanic Latina-American lead character named Jess Valenzuela, who is a 20-year-old DREAMer who sets off on an exploration to discover the mystery of her family history, and with the help of her friends seeks to recover historical lost treasure. The co-writers additionally serve as creators, and executive producers, on the series, while Jerry Bruckheimer also serves as a producer. The project is a joint-venture production between Jerry Bruckheimer Television and ABC Signature. [16]
In October 2021, Lisette Olivera was cast to play Jess (Morales in original notes, Valenzuela in released material) in the show. In January 2022, Lyndon Smith, Zuri Reed, Jake Austin Walker, Antonio Cipriano, and Jordan Rodrigues were announced to have been cast as FBI Agent Ross, Tasha, Liam, Oren, and Ethan, respectively. [34] In February 2022, Catherine Zeta-Jones was announced to have been cast as antagonist Billie Pearce. [35] In April 2022, it was announced that Justin Bartha would reprise his role of Riley Poole as a recurring guest star. [36] In September 2022, the showrunners/creators stated that they have tentative plans for reintroducing additional characters from the films into the series, including Nicolas Cage's Ben Gates. The duo compared the meeting between Valenzuela and Gates to Tony Stark / Iron Man and Peter Parker / Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. [37]
National Treasure: Edge of History premiered on December 14, 2022, on Disney+. [38]
On April 21, 2023, the series was canceled after one season. [39]
Key
- A dark gray cell indicates the character was not in the film.
- A Y indicates an actor or actress portrayed a younger version of their character.
Character | Film | Television | |
---|---|---|---|
National Treasure | National Treasure: Book of Secrets | National Treasure: Edge of History | |
2004 | 2007 | 2022 | |
Principal cast | |||
Benjamin "Ben" Franklin Gates | Nicolas Cage Hunter Gomez Y | Nicolas Cage | |
Riley Poole | Justin Bartha | ||
Dr. Abigail Chase | Diane Kruger | ||
Patrick Henry Gates | Jon Voight | ||
Agent Peter Sadusky | Harvey Keitel | ||
Ian Howe | Sean Bean | ||
Dr. Emily Appleton-Gates | Helen Mirren | ||
Mitch Wilkinson | Ed Harris | ||
Jess Valenzuela | Lisette Olivera | ||
Tasha | Zuri Reed | ||
Oren | Antonio Cipriano | ||
Billie Pearce | Catherine Zeta-Jones | ||
Ethan | Jordan Rodrigues | ||
Liam | Jake Austin Walker | ||
Agent Ross | Lyndon Smith | ||
Supporting cast | |||
John Adams Gates | Christopher Plummer | ||
Thomas Gates | Jason Earles | Joel Gretsch | |
Charles Carroll Gates | Billy Unger | ||
John Wilkes Booth | Christian Camargo | ||
President of the United States | Bruce Greenwood | ||
Agent Hendricks | Armando Riesco |
Film | Crew/Detail | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Composer | Cinematographer(s) | Editor(s) | Production companies | Distributing company | Running time | ||
National Treasure | Trevor Rabin | Caleb Deschanel | William Goldenberg | Saturn Films Walt Disney Pictures Junction Entertainment Jerry Bruckheimer Films | Buena Vista Pictures | 131 minutes | |
National Treasure: Book of Secrets | Amir Mokri John Schwartzman | David Rennie William Goldenberg | Saturn Films NT2 Productions Walt Disney Pictures Junction Entertainment Sparkler Entertainment Jerry Bruckheimer Films | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | 124 minutes |
Though a literature adaptation was never released for the first film, a novelization of the second titled National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets – The Junior Novel was released on November 6, 2007. [40] Parts of the story in the novel version differ slightly from what was actually filmed, owing to changes being made in the screenplay prior to and during production.
The franchise expanded with the release of a series of historical-fiction novels, written by Catherine Hapka and published by Disney Press. The series centers around the ancestors of the Gates Family.
# | Title | Released | Time period | Plot summary |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | National Treasure: Changing Tides - A Gates Family Mystery | November 6, 2007 | 1612 | The epilogue from Changing Tides is included at the back of the National Treasure book. [41] Samuel Gates and his brother, William, travel to the Americas and the newly organized Jamestown, hoping to find a fortune and rescue their family name. |
2 | National Treasure: Midnight Ride - A Gates Family Mystery | March 8, 2008 | 1773–1775 | At the onset of the Revolutionary War in Boston in 1775, John Raleigh Gates follows the clues to find an incredible treasure. [42] |
3 | National Treasure: Uncharted - A Gates Family Mystery | August 26, 2008 | 1803 | After the American Revolutionary War, Adam Benjamin Gates and his twin sister, Eleanor or Ellie, have heard their father's tales of his part in the Revolutionary War and his discovery of a great treasure that helped the Patriots. Soon, Adam and Ellie find themselves on a dangerous journey into uncharted lands in search of a treasure hidden deep within the wilderness. [43] |
4 | National Treasure: Westward Bound - A Gates Family Mystery | December 23, 2008 | 1848–1849 | Thomas Gates is convinced that the treasure is located with someone or in something called the Charlotte. However, his youngest brother James Monroe Gates wants a treasure that is easier to get to. In 1848, while helping a friend on the run from her father, he reluctantly follows a series of letters his aunt, Eleanor, sent to his father, believing it leads to a treasure that is bigger than the gold of California. [44] |
5 | National Treasure: Forever Free - A Gates Family Mystery | — [lower-alpha 1] | 1872 | After the death of his father, Charles Gates considers running away from his family's past of treasure hunting. However, when he befriends a freed slave named Daniel, they set off to uncover what civil rights leaders fought to protect. [45] |
6 | National Treasure: Roaring In - A Gates Family Mystery | — [lower-alpha 2] | 1920s | Jay Gates wishes to remain in peace and quiet, despite the economic boom of the 1920s. However, he soon learns of hints in regards to the Charlotte, for which his family had been searching for almost a century, and decides to seek adventure. [46] |
Film | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Video sales gross | Worldwide total gross income | Budget | Ref. | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North America | Other territories | Worldwide | All time North America | All time worldwide | North America | ||||
National Treasure | $173,008,894 | $174,503,424 | $347,512,318 | #290 | #577 | $5,538,549 | $353,050,867 | $100,000,000 | [47] [48] |
National Treasure: Book of Secrets | $219,964,115 | $239,278,134 | $459,242,249 | #168 | #337 | $105,814,403 | $565,056,662 | $130,000,000 | [49] [50] [51] |
Totals | $392,973,009 | $413,781,558 | $806,754,567 | x̄ #229 [lower-alpha 3] | x̄ #457 [lower-alpha 4] | $111,352,952 | $918,107,519 | 230,000,000 |
Media | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore [52] |
---|---|---|---|
National Treasure | 46% (179 reviews) [53] | 40/100 (36 reviews) [54] | A- |
National Treasure: Book of Secrets | 36% (130 reviews) [55] | 48/100 (26 reviews) [56] | A- |
National Treasure: Edge of History Season 1 | 38% (21 reviews) [57] | 46/100 (10 reviews) [58] | — |
The following is a table listing the awards and nominations received by National Treasure [59] and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. [60]
Year | Award | Category | Notes | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
National Treasure | ||||
2005 | BMI Film & TV Awards | BMI Film Music Award | BMI Film Music Award for Trevor Rabin | Won |
2005 | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film | Nominated | |
2005 | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress | Diane Kruger | Nominated |
2005 | Teen Choice Awards | Movie: Action/Adventure | Nominated | |
2005 | Visual Effects Society Awards | Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Motion Picture | Scott Beverly, Forest Fischer, Matthew Gratzner & Leigh-Alexandra Jacob, for the treasure room | Nominated |
2005 | World Stunt Awards | Taurus Award for Best Overall Stunt by a Stunt Woman | Lisa Hoyle | Nominated |
2005 | Young Artist Awards | Best Family Feature Film: Drama | Nominated | |
2005 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a Feature Film, Supporting Young Actor | Hunter Gomez | Nominated |
National Treasure: Book of Secrets | ||||
2007 | Academy of Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film | Best Supporting Actress | Helen Mirren | Nominated |
2008 | Golden Trailer Awards | Best Motion/Title Graphics | Nominated | |
2008 | MTV Movie Awards | Best Movie | Nominated | |
2008 | Razzie Awards | Worst Actor | Nicolas Cage | Nominated |
2008 | Razzie Awards | Worst Supporting Actor | Jon Voight | Nominated |
2008 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie Actress: Action Adventure | Diane Kruger | Nominated |
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