Netflix developing 'Hatchet' film with Derek Cianfrance writing and directing

Left · 2Netflix is developing a feature adaptation of Gary Paulsen's 1987 young adult survival novel 'Hatchet', Variety reported in an exclusive on 12 October 2026. 1 2 Left · 2Derek Cianfrance will write and direct. Variety describes him as best known for 'Blue Valentine' (2010) and 'The Place Beyond the Pines' (2012), and The A.V. Club also lists the 2025 crime comedy 'Roofman'. 1 2 Left · 1Andrew Mittman, whose company 1.21 is behind Netflix's 'Wednesday', is a producer, and Kai Dolbashian executive produces via 1.21. Variety says Mittman brought the project to Netflix as the streamer looks to invest further in survival thrillers after 'Apex' and 'Thrash', which each debuted with more than 36 million views earlier this year. 1

Left · 2The film is being made in partnership with Paulsen's estate, which Variety says helped select Cianfrance after years of keeping the property off the market. Estate representatives Jennifer Flannery and Sandy Weinberg are executive producers alongside Ruth Wright Paulsen (identified by The A.V. Club as Paulsen's widow) and James Wright Paulsen. 1 2 Left · 2The book follows 13-year-old Brian Robeson, stranded alone in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash with only the hatchet his mother gave him. Paulsen later wrote four sequels: 'The River' (1991), 'Brian's Winter' (1996), 'Brian's Return' (1999) and 'Brian's Hunt' (2003). 1 2 Left · 2The two outlets differ on the book's award: Variety says it won the Newbery Medal, while The A.V. Club says it earned a Newbery Honor. 1 2

Left · 2The earlier screen adaptation was the 1990 TV movie 'A Cry in the Wild', which The A.V. Club says Paulsen co-wrote. That outlet expects the Netflix version to be higher-profile, and says it is unclear whether the sequels will be adapted. 1 2 Left · 1No release date, cast or budget has been reported. Cianfrance is represented by CAA and attorney Michael Schenkan. 1