National Treasure: The Book of Secrets (2007)
Das Vermächtnis des geheimen Buches
Interview with Justin Bartha
Justin Bartha
He was the sidekick of Nicholas Cage, played aside Ben Affleck and had a lot of fun shooting a movie with Matthew McConaughey. National Treasure: The Book Of Secrets, Gigli and Failure to Launch are his best known movies. That's why OutNow.CH did not hesitate to take the chance to talk to Justin Bartha on the phone. While he was sitting in London, the conversation went from the starting of his career, over the possibility of a “Riley Poole Spin-Off" to a fascinating new storyline for another sequel to National Treasure - this time involving Swiss Banks.
» Das Interview in deutscher Sprache
OutNow.CH (ON): Can you tell us in a few words how you got into the movie business?
Mr. Connection
Justin Bartha (JB): Well, I went to Acting-School, trained very hard for many, many years, auditioned for Gigli and got the part. So there wasn’t anything spectacular or special with my way to the movie business.
ON: When was it clear that National Treasure gets a Sequel? Right after the Film made a successful run at the box-office?
JB: No, you really never know until you start shooting the picture. So actually the answer to this question would be “on the first day of the second movie". You know, there’s so much talk and the people are so full of plans that you never know if the movie you signed for is actually taking place or not.
ON: Do you think we will see part 3 or 4 sometime in the future?
JB: Well, I’m sure they try to get new storylines to do more movies. But they definitely would not do them without Nicholas Cage or director John Turteltaub. But they’re trying to get new stories.
ON: Would they do it without you?
JB: Yes, of course.
ON: This would be the ultimate opportunity for a “Riley Poole"-Spin-Off, wouldn’t it?
JB: Ehm, that would definitely not be successful (*laughs*)
ON: Your character “Riley Poole" is the funny sidekick of Nicholas Cage. How was the relation between the two of you when the cameras were off?
JB: Then he’s my sidekick. No honestly, he’s a great guy, great actor and a very smart man. We get along just fine and it is wonderful to work with him and to have him around.
ON: In National Treasure: The Book of Secrets you act aside not only Nicholas Cage but also Helen Mirren and Ed Harris. How's that? Are they “normal" guys or do the act more like the superstars they truly are?
JB: Well, they’re mean and fearful. They don’t talk, they just come and go whenever they want to, they’re nothing like Nicholas Cage. No, of course not. They’re successful, because they are such great actors and they’re just wonderful. Everybody wants to play with them, because they are so nice and friendly. It is been a real pleasure to work with them.
ON: In the movie you find the “Secret Book of Presidents". Do you think this book is completely fictional or might the actual president have something similar in his office?
"Cheeeeeeeeese"
JB: I don’t think all those secrets we have are probably in a book. They’re in a file or something, but I believe there’s definitely something like that. There are so many secrets in the world.
ON: We don’t have secrets in Switzerland.
JB: You don’t? What about your banks? They’re full of secrets. Everybody brings their secrets to you and you put them in a safe. So don’t tell me you don’t have any secrets.
ON: So the third part of National Treasure could probably be about the Swiss Banks?
JB: Yeah sure: “National Treasure: The Secret of the Swiss Banks". Why not. (*laughs*)
ON: In the movie you had to travel a lot. What location was the most impressive?
JB: I guess I have to say South Dakota. You know, Mount Rushmore, the peace, the quiet, a wonderful site. This is just amazing.
ON: In case of a third part of the series, where would you like to go and shoot scenes? What is your favourite destination to shoot a movie?
JB: Where do you live?
ON: Switzerland.
JB: I would definitely want to go to Switzerland. To solve the mystery of your banks.
ON: You played a part in Gigli. If you look back at it, was it the right decision to be a part of this “Bennifer"-flick?
JB: Absolutely. I love the movie. It was my first big film and for some reasons nobody liked it. But to me it’s still a wonderful film and I have very good memories of Gigli.
ON: What are your plans for the future? Any new and interesting projects you want us to tell about?
"Das Wandern ist des ..."
JB: I want to do a sequel to Gigli.
ON: Come on, honestly. Are you waiting for another National Treasure-movie?
JB: No, I’m not waiting for the next part. There are actually no plans that I know of. But, as I said before, I’m pretty sure they try to come up with something interesting. We’ll see.
ON: Now we switch to the pop-up-questions: treasure hunting
JB: Gigli
ON: Nicholas Cage
JB: Great Actor
ON: Academy Awards
JB: Nicholas Cage
ON: The City of Gold
JB: City of Silver
ON: Sequels
JB: Money
ON: Jon Voight
JB: Legend
ON: Jerry Bruckheimer
JB: *Ehm*, big
ON: Switzerland
JB: You
ON: Best movie of all time
JB: Gigli
ON: OutNow.CH
JB: Phone interview
