Biography

JAWBONE marks the narrative feature debut for Thomas as a director, after working as 2nd Unit director with Joe Wright for the last 12 years. JAWBONE is a visceral and hard-hitting character portrait of Jimmy McCabe, a former junior ABA boxing champion who is running out of options. JAWBONE was written by and stars Johnny Harris. Ray Winstone, Michael Smiley and Ian McShane complete the cast. The film was produced by Mike Elliot at Emu Films (The Goob & Catch me Daddy) Nichola Martin at BBC Films and Richard Holmes/Celine Hadad at Creative England.

Thomas directed the award winning feature documentary LOST ANGELS: SKID ROW IS MY HOME produced by Agi Orsi (Dogtown & Z Boys) and funded by Paramount/Participant. The film documented the lives of eight men & women who live on the darkest and most dangerous streets of Los Angeles. A powerful and uplifting story of redemption.

"Expertly made and shot through with an undercurrent of righteous anger, director Thomas Napper's docu is ultimately a tribute to the spirit of an area most would consider a simple urban blight." Andrew Barker, Variety

"Lost Angels is an astonishing no-holds barred truth-fest; drenched in character, dipped in honesty, and steeped in heart..." Linda Milazzo, The Huffington Post

Last year Thomas directed 2nd unit for Bill Condon on BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Emma Thompson and Ewan McGregor. The project has received rave reviews and after tracking brilliantly for months has become the biggest PG opening in history.

In addition to shooting commercials for clients such as Chanel, Sky Atlantic and BT Infinity, he is currently directing the 2nd Unit on MARY POPPINS RETURNS for Walt Disney, directed by Rob Marshall, scheduled to be released Christmas 2018, starring Emily Blunt, Ben Whishaw, Meryl Streep and Colin Firth. This is his second film working with Rob Marshall after INTO THE WOODS in 2014. Thomas is also just wrapping as 2nd unit director on DARKEST HOUR, starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill, which will be released December 2017 and will mark his sixth collaboration with director Joe Wright after having worked together on PAN, ANNA KARENINA, THE SOLOIST, ATONEMENT and PRIDE & PREJUDICE.

Thomas was one of the co-founders of the Lomography project in the UK. He was Creative Director & Curator of exhibitions at The Hayward Gallery and the V&A Contemporary Gallery. Thomas and Fabian Monheim wrote and designed the book DON'T THINK, JUST SHOOT published by Booth Clibborn Books, which defined LOMO and its loyal fans. Thomas and Fabian were made Artists in Residence for The City of London in 2003.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anon