A FORMER Cowbridge resident has been announced as the Executive Director of the upcoming Marvel series 'Hawkeye' .

Rhys Thomas lived in the area before moving to New York and working at Saturday Night Live , producing the weekly late-night comedy sketch show.

On Friday, after months of secrecy and speculation, Rhys was announced as the Executive Director for the series due for release on Disney Plus late next year.

Rhys' father Alan Thomas spoke to Nub News about his pride and excitement.

"It's a big chance at a big time," said Alan.

"He told me earlier in the year that he was doing something with Marvel, but he couldn't say what it was. Everything had to be kept very secret.

"I've been sworn to secrecy for ages, but last Friday lots of announcements came out and Rhys told me I could talk about it all now!

"I know some of the directors of the architecture firm where I work are Marvel fans and I was dying to tell them but I couldn't," he said.

Describing himself as "born and bred" in the area, Alan and his family have lived in Boverton, Pontylcun, Llanmaes and Flemingston Village.

Rhys attended Ysgol Iolo Morgannwg and then Cowbridge Comprehensive .

"He's always been a high achiever," said Alan.

"Going through school Rhys always wanted to be an actor, so he joined the ITV drama group in Cardiff and then the Sherman Theatre for a couple of years before his A Levels.

"He went to Trinity College Dublin, and studied Drama, Spanish and Portuguese, and decided on a different path in the industry.

"He met his now wife, Michelle, on his course. She's American but was brought up in Spain. One of her uncles was a scriptwriter on SNL for people like Mike Myers.

"Michelle and Rhys went to New York to work as interns on the production side of things at SNL during the summer holidays.

"When they finished university, they got married and moved to New York. Rhys worked in an editing company for a while, as well as having a couple of other jobs to make ends meet," he said.

From Cowbridge to California

Rhys maintained contacts at SNL, which led to a job working in production on the show. Eventually he became a director and producer there.

The show runs on a fast-paced schedule each week ready for the live show on Saturday, which Alan thinks have his son valuable experience.

"Rhys was at SNL for about seven years and just felt he had to decide to stay with them forever or branch out. He decided to branch out," said Alan.

The family relocated to Los Angeles, and Rhys worked with SNL creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels, and stars Bill Hader and Seth Meyers to produce mockumentary series Comrade Detective with Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

"He's made lots of contacts. Cate Blanchett even asked if her son could get work experience with him, which he agreed to" said Alan.

"You name it, Rhys has worked with them!"

A Marvel-lous bid

With such a strong portfolio and amazing opportunities available with Marvel and Disney Plus, Rhys entered a bid to direct 'Hawkeye'.

"He put a bid in for this one and managed to get it," said Alan.

"It's not easy filming with Covid because everyone has to get tested three times a week, and if it's a scene where the actors need to be close, there's a time limit on how long they can be near each other.

"There's also lots of restrictions about filming inside, because you need adequate ventilation," he said.

The project stars Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, a turned superhero turned vigilante, known for his skill with a bow and arrow, and Hayley Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, who inherits the Hawkeye mantle.

Filming began this month in New York and at studios in Atlanta, Georgia, where Rhys and his family have relocated.

Female writing and directing team Bert and Bertie are directing one episode, and Rhys is directing the other two, and overseeing the whole project.

Each episode will be two-hours long and form part of 'phase four' of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

"I'm proud of both of my boys, but this is obviously exciting news," said Alan.

"It's also great for the school to see a former pupil go out and make a name for himself.

"I hope everything goes well now with it all and it will be a springboard onto bigger and better things.

"Although I don't know how much bigger it can get – long may it continue," he said.