An Adaptation of 'Hatchet' Is In The Works With A Good Director Already Attached

The film will be written and directed by Derek Cianfrance, best known for films such as “Blue Valentine” (2010) and “The Place Beyond the Pines” (2012). Andrew Mittman, whose company 1.21 is behind Netflix’s “Wednesday,” serves as a producer.

“Hatchet” was published in 1987 and won the Newbery Medal, one of the most prestigious awards in children’s literature. It remains widely beloved today. Per the official description, “Hatchet” follows “13-year-old Brian Robeson, who is stranded alone in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash with nothing but the hatchet his mother gave him.” Paulsen later expanded the story into a five-book series that included “The River” (1991), “Brian’s Winter” (1996), “Brian’s Return” (1999) and “Brian’s Hunt” (2003).

If you're a 30-40 year old man that grew up in the public school system, this book may have had you in a stranglehold growing up. Personally, I was a big fan. I was an outdoorsy kid with 2 brothers and few boy scout trophies (best in show at the pinewood derby, no big deal). So reading a story about a kid around my age surviving in the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on his back and a hatchet at his waist made me feel like anything was possible. Of course, if I was in the same situation, I would be dead within a couple of days. Nevertheless, it was a great read.

What gives me hope for this as a project is two things. The first is that Derek Cianfrance is directing. 'Blue Valentine' and 'A Place Beyond the Pines' are bangers and I was also a fan of last year's 'Roofman'. The second is that there have been some recent survival thrillers, namely 'Heart of the Beast', that was really good and wet my appetite for no-frills survivor thrillers. 

I believe the success of this movie will come down to selecting the right child actor and filming this in the most tactile way possible. Netflix's recent try in this genre, 'Apex', had some sauce but got lost in CGI at points which took me out of it. Outside of the plane crash, I don't think you can be on a soundstage for this movie at all. Film it in the wild, hire real survivalists to consult and make sure you get dirty.