Nicolas Cage's Wild Plot To Steal The Constitution

In the 2004 film *National Treasure*, Nicolas Cage plays Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian, treasure hunter, and cryptographer. In the film, Gates steals the Declaration of Independence, believing there to be a map to a treasure hidden on the back of the document. The film was written by Jim Kouf and the Wibberleys, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and directed by Jon Turteltaub. It also stars Sean Bean, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, and Christopher Plummer.

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National Treasure plot

The 2004 American action-adventure film National Treasure stars Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian, amateur cryptographer, and descendant of a family of fortune hunters. The film follows Gates and his companions—computer expert Riley Poole and archivist Abigail Chase—on their quest to find a massive lost Freemason treasure.

The story begins with a young Benjamin Franklin Gates exploring his grandfather's attic in Washington, D.C., where he discovers an old book containing clues to a fabled treasure. Benjamin Franklin Gates learns from his grandfather that this treasure was hidden by the Founding Fathers of the United States and the Freemasons during the American Revolutionary War. The clue leads Gates to believe that a map to the treasure is hidden on the back of the United States Declaration of Independence.

However, Gates is not alone in his pursuit of the treasure. His former friend and associate, Ian Howe, also seeks to steal the Declaration of Independence to get the next clue. When Gates learns of Howe's plan, he tries to warn the authorities, but they don't believe him. Determined to protect the Declaration, Gates takes matters into his own hands and steals it himself. As he escapes, he encounters Abigail Chase, the curator of the National Archives, who tries to stop him. She eventually joins Gates and Poole on their quest, and together they work to decrypt the clues and find the treasure before Howe can get to it.

The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the action scenes and performances of Cage and Bartha but criticized the screenplay. Despite this, National Treasure grossed $347 million worldwide, showcasing its popularity with audiences seeking a fun and entertaining adventure film.

Nicolas Cage's character

In the 2004 film *National Treasure*, Nicolas Cage plays the role of Benjamin Franklin Gates, a passionate and adventurous historian and treasure hunter. Ben is a direct descendant of a family with a long history tied to the mystery of a hidden treasure, linked to a secret cache of wealth accumulated by the Founding Fathers of the United States. He is convinced that a vast treasure exists, and his mission is to find and protect it.

Benjamin Franklin Gates, or Ben, is an intelligent and resourceful character, an expert in American history, cryptography, and symbolism. He possesses a deep understanding of the past and a unique ability to decipher ancient clues and puzzles. Ben is driven by a strong sense of patriotism and a desire to protect America's heritage. He believes that the treasure he seeks is not just about wealth but also about preserving the country's history and the ideals on which it was founded.

Ben is portrayed as a charismatic and charming individual, able to inspire and lead a small team of allies in his quest. He is also depicted as physically capable, demonstrating agility and a sense of daring in several action sequences throughout the film. Despite his strong convictions and passion for his mission, Ben is often misunderstood and faces skepticism and opposition from those who doubt the existence of the treasure.

One of the key characteristics of Ben's personality is his strong sense of morality. Even as he engages in illegal acts, such as stealing the Declaration of Independence in a daring heist, he does so with the belief that he is protecting a greater good. Ben is willing to break the law, but only temporarily, and always with the intention of ultimately revealing the truth and ensuring the treasure's safekeeping.

In his relationships with others, Ben shows loyalty and protectiveness, especially towards his close companions, Riley Poole (played by Justin Bartha) and Abigail Chase (played by Diane Kruger). He also has a complex relationship with his father, Patrick Henry Gates (played by Jon Voight), who shares his passion for history but has a more cautious and traditional approach to life. Despite their differences, Ben and his father share a deep bond, and their relationship evolves throughout the film.

Overall, Nicolas Cage's character, Benjamin Franklin Gates, is a captivating and multifaceted individual. He embodies a unique blend of historical knowledge, adventurous spirit, and strong patriotism. Through his journey, Ben not only seeks a hidden treasure but also strives to uncover and protect a piece of America's heritage, making him a compelling and sympathetic protagonist in the film *National Treasure*.

Film locations

The 2004 film "National Treasure", starring Nicolas Cage, was filmed in multiple locations across the United States. The film was primarily shot in Los Angeles, Washington, New York, Philadelphia, and Utah. Most scenes were filmed on location, with some exceptions, such as the Independence Hall scene, which was partially filmed at the replica of Independence Hall at Knott's Berry Farm, and the Arctic scene, which was filmed in Utah.

Philadelphia's Independence Hall features in the film, marking the first time filming was allowed in its tower. Strawberry Bay Marina in Heber City, Utah, was also a filming location, serving as the backdrop for a scene in which Ben and his team drive to the Arctic in search of Charlotte.

The National Archives Building, which represents the headquarters of the National Archives and Records Administration of the United States, was another key filming location. This building is renowned for housing three essential documents in US history: the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights.

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Box office performance

The 2004 film National Treasure, starring Nicolas Cage, is an action-adventure heist film released by Walt Disney Pictures. In the film, Cage's character, Benjamin Franklin Gates, steals the Declaration of Independence, which contains a map to a treasure chest hidden by the Founding Fathers of the United States.

National Treasure earned $11,119,073 on its opening day in the United States, ranking first at the box office ahead of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. The film went on to gross $347 million worldwide, becoming a box office hit for Cage and Disney. The unexpected box office success of the film led to the development of a sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, which was released in 2007 and grossed $459 million worldwide.

The film received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the action scenes and performances of Cage and co-star Justin Bartha, others criticized the screenplay. Despite this, National Treasure was well-received by audiences, who enjoyed the fast-paced action, family-friendly tone, and performances of the cast. Common Sense Media praised the film for its "positive role models" and "educational elements", while IGN called it "a fun, if forgettable, adventure," highlighting Cage's charisma as a key strength.

The success of National Treasure and its sequel led to the development of a Disney+ series, National Treasure: Edge of History, which debuted in December 2022 but was cancelled after one season. A third National Treasure film has been in development for several years, with the original cast confirmed to return, but has not yet gone into production as Disney has not been fully sold on the project.

Sequels and spin-offs

The 2004 film *National Treasure*, starring Nicolas Cage, led to a sequel and several planned follow-ups. The first sequel, *National Treasure: Book of Secrets*, was released in 2007. It features Cage's character, Benjamin Franklin Gates, attempting to clear his ancestor's name as a conspirator in Abraham Lincoln's death. This plotline is set in motion by the resurfacing of a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth.

A third film has been in development since 2013, with the original cast set to return. However, the script has undergone numerous revisions, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures executives unsatisfied with the story as of 2017. In 2020, it was announced that a new writer would be brought on board to work on the script.

In addition to the planned third film, a Disney+ series was announced in 2022, titled *National Treasure: Edge of History*. This series will feature a younger cast, with Lisette Alexis in the lead role of Jess, a 20-year-old who sets out to uncover her family's history. Cage will not be reprising his role for the series.

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