A popular young adult survival novel is set to be adapted into a Netflix film.

If you grew up in a certain era, chances are you were left with some lasting impressions after reading the young adult survival novel *Hatchet* in school. The scene where the protagonist, Brian, discovers a dead body partially eaten by fish likely stuck with you, sparking thoughts about what you would do if stranded in the wild.

Now, Netflix is set to bring Gary Paulsen’s 1987 classic to the screen, which means a new generation of kids is about to experience this pivotal story.

The film adaptation of *Hatchet* is being crafted by Derek Cianfrance, known for his work on acclaimed films like *Blue Valentine*, *The Place Beyond the Pines*, and *The Light Between Oceans*. Andrew Mittman is producing the film through his company, which also produced Netflix’s *Wednesday*. This project is being developed in collaboration with Paulsen’s estate, which has kept the book from being adapted until now and played a role in selecting Cianfrance for the job. The only previous adaptation of *Hatchet* was a 1990 TV movie titled *A Cry in the Wild*.

Mittman advocated for this film at Netflix following the success of their recent survival films, *Apex* and *Thrash*, both of which garnered over 36 million views this year.

*Hatchet* follows 13-year-old Brian Robeson, who finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness after the pilot of his plane suffers a heart attack. With no food and only the clothes on his back and a hatchet gifted by his mother, Brian must learn to survive by hunting and building shelter. During his time alone, he also reflects on his complex relationship with his divorced parents.

In 1988, *Hatchet* received the Newbery Honor Award for its significant contribution to American children’s literature. The novel’s concise length, at just 185 pages, makes it a great fit for adaptation. Paulsen continued Brian’s story with four additional novels: *The River* (1991), *Brian’s Winter* (1996), *Brian’s Return* (1999), and *Brian’s Hunt* (2003). While most are sequels, *Brian’s Winter* presents a “what-if” scenario that explores Brian’s extended time in the wilderness.

We’re gonna need a bigger boat (again).