Michael Mason

Michael Mason is the dual-protagonist of the 2016 film Bastille Day (also known as The Take in North America). He is a skilled American pickpocket in France who, after stealing a woman's bag that contains a bomb, becomes accidentally embroiled in a terrorist conspiracy which puts him in direct conflict with both the CIA and the French authorities.
He was portrayed by Richard Madden, who also played Ikaris in MCU's Eternals, Robb Stark in Game of Thrones and Prince Kit Charming in Cinderella, and voiced Alucard in the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow series.
== History ==
Michael left his American hometown to move to France, in order to avoid family issues. In France he works as a pickpocket, being "the best" in his profession and can stela anything without the subject knowing. One day, he sees a woman upset and sets his sights on her as his next victim. He successfully steals her handbag and looks through it, taking her mobile phone but also seeing a large teddy bear inside. He ditches the bag in the town square and just moments later, it explodes and kills several people. He flees.
The next morning he sees his face on CCTV footage on the news, with the authorities naming him as a terrorist suspect. In shock, he gathers up a few belongings and makes a run for it only to be chased and apprehended by CIA agent Briar. Briar interrogates Mason thinking he is a terrorist, but Michael explains the full situation. Briar is reluctant to believes him but gives him the benefit of the doubt only if they can find the mysterious woman to co-oberate his story.
Two of the real terrorists arrive and fight with Briar while Michael manages to escape capture in the struggle. Michael goes to his acquaintance Baba, who regularly buys Michael's stolen goods and asks him for somewhere to hide. Baba agrees but only to trap him so that the police can arrive to arrest him but Michael is one step ahead and manages to evade them. While hiding, It is later revealed that the police task force RAPID are secretly the terrorists.
Michael is picked up by Briar, who believes he is innocent but needs his help in finding the real terrorist, the mysterious woman, Zoé. They manage to track her down using Briar's police contacts and Michael's pickpocketing skills. They find Zoé but she was mislead by her boyfriend and believed the bomb was just a warning and that no one was supposed to be hurt. The three of them join forces and pick up clues as the actual plot of the attack, the RAPID force intend to perform a digital robbery of the Bank of France.
He goes with Briar and Zoé to the bank where a protest is underway. Briar infiltrates the bank and fights with the RAPID team while the other two stay in the secure van outside. Zoé wants to help but Michael is reluctant, she takes off and he follows behind her to storm the bank with the protestors to provide a distraction and save Briar.
The head of the RAPID unit. Rafi, has stolen a USB drive with half a billion euros and is making his escape. Michael intercepts him and slyly steals the drive which angers Rafi and he threatens to kill Zoé unless his returns it. Michael is almost shot but is saved by Briar who jumps in front of the bullet for him while the police shoot Rafi to death. Michael vanishing in the crowd with the USB drive.
Later, Michael meets with Victor Gamieux, the corrupt head of French intelligence who wants the drive and makes a deal with Michael for it. Gamieux double crosses Michael but Briar arrives and arrests him. It is revealed that Michael and Briar worked together in order to trap Gamieux.
Category:Action Heroes
Category:Thriller Heroes
Category:Male
Category:Thieves
Category:Successful
Category:Betrayed
Category:Chaotic Neutral
Category:Criminals
Category:Damsels
Category:Falsely Accused
Category:Fighters
Category:Good Vs. Good
Category:Jerks
Category:Mischievous
Category:Movie Heroes
Category:Sidekicks
Category:Vigilantes