When Robert Redford made A Walk in the Woods (2015), it wasn’t just another role—it was a project that had been on his mind for nearly two decades. Based on Bill Bryson’s bestselling memoir, the story follows Bryson (played by Redford) and his eccentric friend Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) as they attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail in their later years. The film blends comedy with reflection, offering a lighthearted yet poignant meditation on aging, friendship, and the pull of the natural world.

What makes this film especially fascinating is that Redford originally envisioned it as a reunion project with his longtime friend and co-star Paul Newman. After their unforgettable chemistry in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973), Redford hoped A Walk in the Woods would bring them together for one final adventure. Sadly, Newman’s declining health prevented the collaboration, and his passing in 2008 ended that dream. Redford eventually pressed on, with Nolte stepping into the role. Their mismatched dynamic—Redford as the polished, restrained Bryson and Nolte as the disheveled, larger-than-life Katz—gave the film its humor and heart.

Filming in the Appalachian wilderness added authenticity, echoing Redford’s lifelong love of nature and environmental advocacy. While not a box-office giant, the movie resonated with audiences who connected with its themes: the challenges of getting older, the stubbornness of old friendships, and the timeless lure of testing oneself against nature.

For Redford, A Walk in the Woods was more than just adapting a popular travel memoir. It was a personal statement—a reminder that adventure and discovery don’t end with age, and that laughter often makes the hardest journeys bearable. In many ways, it became a gentle farewell to the buddy dynamic he once shared with Newman, transformed into a new kind of partnership for a later chapter in life.