Nearly four decades after Gary Paulsen’s “Hatchet” became a staple of bookshelves and classrooms, the beloved survival story is heading back to the screen.
Netflix is developing a new feature film based on Paulsen’s 1987 young adult novel, according to Variety. Derek Cianfrance, the filmmaker behind Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines, will write and direct the new adaptation.
“Hatchet” tells the story of 13-year-old Brian Robeson, who becomes stranded alone in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. His only tool is a hatchet his mother gave him before his trip, forcing Brian to learn how to survive on his own.
Published in 1987, “Hatchet” won the Newbery Honor and became one of Paulsen’s best-known books. The story eventually grew into a five-book series. Paulsen followed “Hatchet” with “The River” in 1991, “Brian’s Winter” in 1996, “Brian’s Return” in 1999 and “Brian’s Hunt” in 2003.
The upcoming Netflix film is being produced in partnership with Paulsen’s estate, which Variety reports had kept the rights off the market for years. The estate was also involved in choosing Cianfrance to take on the adaptation.
Andrew Mittman is producing through his company 1.21, which is also behind Netflix’s hit series Wednesday. Kai Dolbashian will executive produce through the company. Jennifer Flannery and Sandy Weinberg, who represent Paulsen’s estate, will serve as executive producers alongside Ruth Wright Paulsen and James Wright Paulsen.
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While the Netflix project marks a major new adaptation of the book, it won’t technically be the first time Brian’s story has made it to the screen.
“Hatchet” was previously adapted as the 1990 television movie A Cry in the Wild. The film starred Jared Rushton as Brian and also featured Ned Beatty and Pamela Sue Martin.
The new project therefore arrives 36 years after A Cry in the Wild and 39 years after Paulsen’s original novel was published.
Netflix’s Hatchet also comes as the streamer continues investing in survival thrillers. According to Variety, the project follows Apex and Thrash, both of which debuted with more than 36 million views earlier this year.
Paulsen, who died in 2021 at age 82, wrote more than 200 books during his career, many drawing on themes of wilderness, adventure and survival. But “Hatchet” became one of his most enduring works, introducing generations of young readers to Brian and his fight to survive alone in the Canadian wilderness.
Casting and a release date for Netflix’s Hatchet have not yet been announced.
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