The early 2000s film series third movie is up in the air, Disney+ is working on a new television series set within the same world as the films. But what makes this franchise so beloved, in addition to the swashbuckling treasure-hunting adventures, is the characters.
There are obvious heroes and villains in the world of National Treasure, but the films don't always simplify things as clearly when it comes to matters of intelligence. Bad guys can be quite smart, while good guys can be quite dim. But at the end of it all, these adventure movies are packed to the brim with incredibly talented and competent characters.
Connor
Oh, Connor. Poor, naive Connor. As portrayed by a pre-Modern Family Ty Burrell, Connor is a character who is impossible not to love. In his role as Abigail's new boyfriend following her split with Ben, Connor is unfortunately played as a patsy more often than not.
He is mostly used for his connections via his role at the White House, which allows him to wind up looking rather clueless and goofy in his brief appearance in Book of Secrets. He might not be the smartest character in the franchise, but he is still one of the nicest.
Ian Howe
It would be hard to call Ian Howe (Sean Bean) a truly ignorant man, but it is quite easy to make the case that his arrogance often overpowers his intelligence. As the initial leader of many treasure-seeking expeditions, Ian is clearly a man with connections and means as well as a genuine hunger for knowledge and treasure alike.
But Ian is frequently foiled by his need to be the best, and his belief that he is smarter and better equipped than most, particularly Benjamin Gates. Ian sets himself up to fail in the end, showing his own shortcomings in the intelligence department.
The President
The President (Bruce Greenwood) is one of the more enigmatic characters in the world of National Treasure, and not just because he is never given a full name beyond his title.
In his brief time spent with Ben, the President is a man who reveals himself to know more about the world of treasure and the mysteries of Page 47 than expected. He is a man with a sharp wit and a real interest in understanding the nation's secret treasures and histories, showing that he would have been a great treasure hunter in another life.
Mitch Wilkinson
In many ways, Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) is Benjamin Franklin Gates's perfect foil. As a man with a similarly complex family history, with ancestors wrapped up in some of American history's biggest scandals, Mitch is another man with a real chip on his shoulder and a need to prove himself and his family's name.
He is presented as just as well-versed in American history and culture as the Gates family, even though his interpretation of historical events directly contradicts theirs. Book of Secrets portrays Mitch as a villain, and the flaws in his intellect are evident over the course of the film.
Special Agent Sadusky
The relationship between Special Agent Sadusky (Harvey Keitel) and Benjamin Gates is one of intellectual equals and rivals alike. Ben's entire modus operandi during his treasure-hunting adventures often put him in direct conflict with Sadusky's department, which results in the two men frequently engaging in tense conversations.
But even within their adversarial connection, it is clear that they respect one another and recognize each other as equals. Sadusky might not always be a step ahead of Ben, but he is one of the only people in the world who is able to understand the way Ben's mind works.
Patrick Henry Gates
Patriarch of the Gates family, Patrick Henry Gates (Jon Voight) is a man who feels wronged by the legacy he was born into. After spending much of his life buying into the mythos of the Gates family and the treasures they sought, Patrick became embittered and lives his life removed from that world — until Ben intervenes.
Even though Patrick has withdrawn from that treasure-hunting life for many years, he is still knowledgeable about many key elements of the mysteries. It's clear that he played a major role in making Ben the intellectual person he is.
Dr. Emily Appleton-Gates
Arguably the more intellectual of Ben's parents, however, is Dr. Emily Appleton-Gates (Helen Mirren), the estranged matriarch of the Gates family. Emily is a professor at the University of Maryland who specializes in ancient Native American studies and linguistics, which makes her a natural fit for assisting in many of the core group's quests.
But as much as Emily's intelligence assists her in these adventurous pursuits, she is also one of the only people with the strength of character and intellect to know when to walk away from it all. In addition to her academic credentials, she has perhaps the strongest emotional intelligence of any character in the franchise.
Benjamin Franklin Gates
He may be the main character of the beloved National Treasure franchise, and though he is certainly one of Nicolas Cage's most beloved cult roles, Benjamin Franklin Gates is actually not the smartest character in the series. His knowledge of American history is unparalleled, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to prove his family's legacy is just as commendable.
Much like his nemesis Ian Howe, Ben is a character who is driven by highly impulsive emotional decisions just as much as he is by his intellect. He makes bad decisions just as frequently as he makes good ones, which precludes him from ranking among the film's smartest characters.
Riley Poole
Never underestimate the hero's nerdy sidekick. Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) might be the second banana in the world of National Treasure, but the beloved geeky hacker is easily one of the most intelligent characters in the franchise. Riley is always equipped with the perfect witty retort and has none of the overly impulsive emotional issues that Ben does.
Furthermore, Riley's technological expertise makes him one of the core team's most valuable assets. Were it not for his understanding of all things tech and his ability to crack codes along with it, they would be in a very different situation by the film's end.
Dr. Abigail Chase
To put it simply, Dr. Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) is the secret ingredient that Ben and Riley's teamwork had always been missing. The boys worked together for many years in their quest for the hidden treasures of the Knights Templar, but it isn't until Abigail enters their world that they truly begin to figure things out.
Working as an archivist at the National Archives, Abigail has better connections and a firmer understanding of historical documents and bureaucracy than even Ben. Abigail is able to often be the voice of reason in the group and is better able to navigate the front-facing political world while still working on the secret treasure-hunting level.
