Riley Poole

Do-gooder

Full Name

Riley Poole

Alias(es)

Riley

Origin

National Treasure

Occupation

Book Author, treasure hunter and computer programmer

Powers / Skills

Excellent in computer hacking, good at surveillance, excellent detective skills, highly intelligent and excellent in knowledge in history

Hobby

Working on his computer and watching tv.

Goals

Being loyal to Ben Gates and help him find the templar treasure and Cibola the city of gold.

Make sure the treasure doesn't go in the wrongs hand like terrorists.

Family

Unknown

Friends / Allies

Ben Gates

Abigail Chase
Patrick Henry Gates
Dr. Emily Appleton-Gates

Enemies

Ian Howe

Type of Hero

Treasure hunter and computer programmer

Riley Poole is the main tritagonist of the National Treasure film series and a minor character in its 2022 Disney+ TV Series, National Treasure: Edge of History. He is the computer hacker and genius who joins Ben Gates and Abigail Chase in helping find the Templar Treasure.

He is played by Justin Bartha, who also played Doug Billings in The Hangover trilogy.

Personality[]

Riley Poole is a sarcastic computer expert, resident genius, and best friend of Benjamin Franklin Gates. He tries his hardest to be funny and smart but doesn't always succeed. He can be nerdy most of the time and get annoyed when people don't listen to him. He loves it when he knows something Ben and Abigail don't.

History[]

National Treasure[]

Riley figured out the clue involving the one hundred dollar bill and Independence Hall. When he realizes that Abigail and Ben do not know what he knows, he takes his time, asking them if this is what they always feel like (much to their anger). Before that Riley tried to convince Ben that stealing the Declaration of Independence was impossible due to the security at the National Archives.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets[]

Riley later wrote a book, called The Templar Treasure, about treasure hunting and myths. He is shocked when it is not a best seller and people keep confusing him for Ben.

The IRS repossessed his Ferrari because of back taxes at the beginning of National Treasure: Book of Secrets He is brought into the search for Cíbola. To prove Thomas Gates was not part of the plot to kill Abraham Lincoln he and Ben first have to break into Abigail Chases residence since she kicked Ben out. When found out by Abigail, she allows them access to the files they need. The clue leads to a Cipher of Edward Laboylee and Riley and Ben are off to Paris France and the French Statue of Liberty. The clue there leads to the Resolute Desk of both the Queen of England and the President of the United States.

It is Riley who figures out that the symbol of the two pieces of wood is the Book of Secrets and that leads to the kidnapping by Ben of the President of the United States. The three of them go the Library of Congress where the book is found. It leads to Mount Rushmore (which to Riley's surprise was built as a cover up). After narrowly being killed by several complex traps, they are awed when they reach Cibola, with Riley comically taking several solid gold bricks, making him one of the richest people in North America. Mitchell Wilkinson is there, and he forces the five of them including Ben parents to help him find The Lost City of Gold.

Originally left to die by Wilkinson and only able to escape because of him, Riley is pleasantly surprised at the return his Ferrari to him tax free by the President. He is also hinted at getting a girlfriend at the end of the second film, as he meets a girl who is fascinated by his book, shocking him (comically causing a large pile of books he is carrying to fall).

National Treasure: Edge of History[]

Riley appears in the episode "Charlotte", where it's revealed he is hosting his streaming show. Riley first appears exiting his private plan while talking to Ben on his cellphone about him guest starring in his show and that charlotte got sick. He then attends Sadusky's wake where he meets Jesse, Ethan, Tasha, and Oren.

Trivia[]

Ashton Kutcher, Matthew Broderick, John Cusack and Tim Roth were all considered for the role of Riley Poole before Justin Bartha was cast.

Navigation[]

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