Jeff Nathanson

Jeffrey D. Nathanson (born October 12, 1965) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for writing two films of the Rush Hour series, as well as the Steven Spielberg films Catch Me If You Can and The Terminal.

Early life and education Nathanson was born in Los Angeles County, California. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara as an English major from 1983 to 1985. While at UC Santa Barbara, he worked on the school's newspaper, the Daily Nexus, and has stated that the courses he took at UC Santa Barbara led him to want to become a screenwriter. He later enrolled in the screenwriting program at the AFI Conservatory for one year.

Career He is best known for his work on the Rush Hour sequels Rush Hour 2 and Rush Hour 3, Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, and The Last Shot. He co-wrote a story draft for the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) with George Lucas; the film was directed by Steven Spielberg. He wrote the screenplay for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), on which he also received a story by co-credit, the latter with Terry Rossio. He wrote the script for the 2019 live-action remake of The Lion King for Disney, directed by Jon Favreau. He also wrote its 2024 prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, directed by Barry Jenkins.

On October 3, 2017, it was reported that Nathanson would be penning a script for a biographical film directed by Brett Ratner based on the life of the Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who will be portrayed by Academy Award winner Jared Leto. However the film was put indefinitely on hold and was confirmed that Leto would not portray the Playboy founder following emergence of sexual harassment allegations against Ratner that November.

Awards and honors Nathanson was nominated for a Best Original Screenplay British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award for his work on Catch Me If You Can.

Film writer credits Year Title Director Notes 1995 For Better or Worse Jason Alexander Also executive producer 1997 Speed 2: Cruise Control Jan de Bont 2001 Rush Hour 2 Brett Ratner 2002 Catch Me If You Can Steven Spielberg 2004 The Terminal The Last Shot Himself 2007 Rush Hour 3 Brett Ratner 2008 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Steven Spielberg Story only, co-written with George Lucas and David Koepp New York, I Love You Brett Ratner Segment #5 2011 Tower Heist 2017 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Joachim RønningEspen Sandberg 2019 The Lion King Jon Favreau 2024 Young Woman and the Sea Joachim RønningAlso producer Mufasa: The Lion King Barry Jenkins

Uncredited Men in Black 3 (2012) Wonka (2023) Haunted Mansion (2023)