Born in the Netherlands. Writer who entered American film in 1985 with THE COLOR PURPLE and an episode of Spielberg's "Amazing Stories". Other notable writing credits, alone or in collaboration, include EMPIRE OF THE SUN (1987 - uncredited), LIONHEART (1987), INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989 - story), RICOCHET (1991 - story), FOREIGN STUDENT (1994 - also co-producer), THE SIEGE (1998 - screenplay), MAX (2000 - also director), CAPA and MANOLETE (both 2007, both also director), and LAST BATTLE DREAMER (scheduled for 2008, also director).  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1985: THE COLOR PURPLE 1 nomination