Chris Hansen Considers Legal Action Against A24 After Denied Screening of ‘Primetime’

Robert Pattinson’s latest A24 drama has stirred considerable excitement ahead of its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. However, the film’s real-life subject, Chris Hansen, is making headlines for a different reason, as a promotional rollout has turned into a public dispute between the renowned investigative journalist and the studio behind his story.

‘Primetime’ chronicles Chris Hansen, the former host of NBC’s ‘To Catch a Predator,’ during the peak of the hidden-camera series’ popularity in the mid-2000s. Directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut and penned by Ajon Singh, the film features Pattinson as Hansen, alongside Phoebe Bridgers, Merritt Wever, and Skyler Gisondo. The trailer has already garnered acclaim for Pattinson’s remarkable portrayal of Hansen’s mannerisms.

However, Hansen feels that the praise has not extended to him. He now believes he may have grounds for legal action against A24 regarding the film’s portrayal of him. Hansen claims that the studio’s screening agreement went beyond a typical confidentiality document, alleging it required him to waive his rights to his name, image, and brand, as well as any potential legal claims related to the film, before he could view it.

During an appearance on Fox News’ ‘Jesse Watters Primetime,’ Hansen explained that he traveled to A24’s offices for a scheduled 10 a.m. private screening but left without seeing any footage. “The lawyers at A24 wanted me to sign away my rights to my name, image, and brand essentially, as well as any potential legal rights that would come out of the movie,” Hansen stated, noting that his attorneys had reviewed the documents and advised against signing.

A source close to A24 disputed Hansen’s account, telling Deadline and other outlets that Hansen was merely asked to sign a standard screening NDA, which is typically required of preview audiences to prevent spoilers and protect the studio’s intellectual property. According to this source, the document did not require Hansen to relinquish rights related to his name, image, or likeness, and he had a full week to review the agreement with his legal team prior to the screening.

Since that initial appearance, Hansen has continued to voice his concerns publicly, reportedly telling Fox News that he is now consulting with lawyers about possible legal recourse, as detailed in Wikipedia’s entry for the film. He has also taken the unusual step of purchasing pre-show advertising slots ahead of theatrical screenings of ‘Primetime,’ featuring himself in a kitchen setting reminiscent of his former sting operations, inviting audiences to “take a seat” before directing them to his own streaming platform.

Despite the escalating tension, Hansen has acknowledged that he has yet to see the completed film, basing his objections primarily on the trailer and secondhand accounts from others who attended screenings without the same signing requirements he faced. He has pointed out this inconsistency as one of the more perplexing aspects of the entire situation, questioning why other viewers were not subjected to the same conditions.

‘Primetime’ is scheduled to premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival on September 5, followed by its U.S. theatrical release on September 25. Whether Hansen’s grievances will lead to an actual lawsuit or remain a public dispute with the studio, the controversy has already added an unexpected layer of drama to the film’s rollout before most audiences have had the opportunity to view it.

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