Disney’s National Treasure films proved to be a hit with fans. Still, it’s been 15 years since its sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, hit theaters making 2007 the last time that fans of the series got to see Justin Bartha’s tech-savvy character Riley Poole. While Bartha’s role in the National Treasure movies has remained one of his most notable performances, the actor recently revealed during an interview with Variety that he was initially skeptical when asked to reprise his character for the Disney + spinoff series, National Treasure: Edge of History. “To be honest, I didn’t jump aboard right away,” Bartha revealed. “But after talking with [the producers] and looking at my daughters, it was tough to turn my back.”
In the National Treasure films, Bartha’s character Riley was known for being Benjamin “Ben” Gates’s (played by Nicolas Cage) best friend and go-to source for all things tech related. Together the pair made quite the impression with audiences as a treasure-hunting twosome. Though a third film never materialized, the world of National Treasure lives on with Disney+’s new series National Treasure: Edge of History. The new show follows Jess (played by Lisette Olivera), a DACA recipient who finds herself competing with an antiquities dealer (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones) for a Meso-American treasure connected to her lineage.
Though the new series takes place within the same world as the films, there are currently no plans for Cage to reprise his role as Ben. However, Bartha’s Riley made a return to National Treasure by guest starring on the series’ fourth episode. Still, Bartha’s choice to reprise his character wasn’t without some doubt.
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Justin Bartha Had His Doubts About Disney Focusing on a National Treasure Spinoff Series
Disney+
When asked his thoughts on Disney focusing on a National Treasure spinoff series Bartha said, “I was skeptical at first, if I’m going to be honest. But when I looked past my initial skepticism, I was excited to see what it was going to be. I have kids now, and I’m really desperate for something to watch with them. We made the original “National Treasure” almost 20 years ago, and those two movies are basically the only two movies I’ve ever made that my kids can watch.”
He continued, “Being able to do something that my daughters can watch was what got me past the skepticism. And I’ve known the Wibberleys for a long time, and Jon and Jerry were involved. I knew the heart was in the right place, and they would respect the spirit of the franchise. To be honest, I didn’t jump aboard right away. But after talking with them and looking at my daughters, it was tough to turn my back.”
Bartha also talked about his hope for a potential third National Treasure film and reaffirmed that he still has an attachment to Riley. He said, “I love this character — he means a lot to me. He really does. There hasn’t been a week in the last 20 years that’s gone by without someone stopping me and talking about “National Treasure.” And the response has evolved over time. It really is a special thing and I think any type of extension that touches it, no matter what it is, is great.”
