Chris Hansen Questions Hollywood’s Motive Behind ‘Primetime’ and Prefers Denis Leary for the Role

Hollywood biopics often pose risks for the real individuals they portray, and Chris Hansen finds himself in a particularly unusual situation. The former host of “To Catch a Predator” is now watching as a major studio dramatizes his life story without his involvement.

This dramatization is brought to life in A24’s upcoming film ‘Primetime,’ directed by Lance Oppenheim and featuring Robert Pattinson in the lead role. The film chronicles Hansen’s journey as the face of Dateline NBC’s controversial sting series, which aired from 2004 to 2007, showcasing Hansen confronting adult men who arrived expecting to meet minors they had been communicating with online.

As the film’s theatrical release approaches, Hansen is speaking out about the project’s development, emphasizing that he was not consulted during its creation. In a recent appearance on the “Serialously with Annie Elise” podcast, he expressed his concerns regarding Pattinson’s casting, stating that he did not have a say in the decision.

“A couple months ago, they came and said, ‘Hey look, we’re doing this, we’d like you to have some sort of consideration in terms of helping us with this,’” Hansen explained, noting that this outreach occurred only after the film was already produced. “My suspicion is that they used my name because it helps in a commercial enterprise.”

When asked about his thoughts on Pattinson’s casting, Hansen provided a thoughtful yet critical response. “It looks dramatic. It looks very dramatic. I know [Robert Pattinson] is a popular actor, and I know the director [Lance Oppenheim] is a popular guy. I also have some questions: What’s Hollywood’s motive here?” he remarked, adding, “I didn’t get to choose my own guy.”

Hansen then revealed who he would have preferred for the role if it had been his decision. He shared that years ago, while working on his own script based on his experiences, he had envisioned Denis Leary as the ideal actor to portray him. “Years ago, I had crafted a script and thought Denis Leary would be a good guy to play me — depending on the age of it all,” Hansen said.

Despite the tensions surrounding the casting and outreach process, Hansen made it clear that he is not ready to pass final judgment on the film before viewing it. A24 has arranged a private screening for him prior to the film’s wider release, which he hopes will allow him to assess how accurately his story has been depicted.

‘Primetime’ is set to hit theaters on September 25, featuring a supporting cast that includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Matthew Maher, Bokeem Woodbine, and Phoebe Bridgers. Early trailers suggest a darker, more psychologically complex portrayal of Hansen than what audiences may remember from his original Dateline segments, a choice that seems to contribute to his skepticism about the film’s intentions.

Hansen’s remarks highlight the ongoing tension that arises when Hollywood adapts the stories of real, living public figures without their collaboration. Given how integral his image and reputation were to the original “To Catch a Predator” franchise, his hesitance regarding a dramatized, big-budget retelling is understandable, even as he insists on withholding final judgment until he has seen the film.

With the private screening on the horizon and the film’s theatrical release approaching, Hansen’s ultimate verdict on ‘Primetime’ remains uncertain.

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