Chris Hansen Shares His Thoughts on Robert Pattinson’s Role in ‘Primetime’

Few real-life figures have experienced such a public reaction to their onscreen portrayal as Chris Hansen has regarding A24’s upcoming drama-thriller ‘Primetime.’ The former Dateline NBC host has spent weeks publicly commenting on the film, which dramatizes his notorious tenure as the host of ‘To Catch a Predator,’ the hidden-camera series that made him a household name in the 2000s.

Hansen’s feedback has ranged from skeptical to confrontational leading up to the film’s release, voicing concerns about its accuracy and how he was approached, or rather not approached, during production. This tension has intensified as the movie’s marketing unfolds, with Robert Pattinson taking on the role of Hansen himself.

After viewing the trailer, Hansen has now provided a more balanced perspective on Pattinson’s performance, landing somewhere between critique and reluctant admiration. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Hansen acknowledged that Pattinson had clearly invested effort into mimicking his mannerisms, although he personally found the portrayal somewhat exaggerated.

“I mean, obviously he has practiced imitating me, and while I think it’s overly dramatic, I think there is a pretty good imitation there in the trailer,” Hansen said, per Entertainment Tonight. He added a note that softened his critique further: “It’s not so much what I think; it’s what other people think. And you know, my wife [and] my family seem to think it’s a pretty good imitation.”

This measured response marks a significant shift from some of Hansen’s earlier comments about the film. Previously, he described the trailer as “overly dramatic” and “dark,” even labeling Pattinson’s interpretation of him as “almost vampirish,” while still acknowledging the ‘Twilight’ star as a “gifted actor.”

@entertainmenttonight Chris Hansen has some issues with the upcoming A24 thriller, ‘Primetime,’ based on his show, ‘To Catch a Predator.’ Among them: He says he was never made aware of the project or consulted on it. He also claims he was not allowed to screen the film without signing a restrictive NDA. A24 has no comment. One thing he can agree with is the general opinion — even shared by his family — that Robert Pattinson does a pretty solid imitation of his voice. “While I think it’s overly dramatic, I think there’s a pretty good imitation there,” he told ET. In the meantime, the investigative journalist is currently weighing legal action, but he’s also using the opportunity to promote his true-crime streaming network, TruBlu, with an ad set to run before screenings of the movie, which hits theaters Sept. 25. #robertpattinson #Primetime #ChrisHansen #tocatchapredator ♬ original sound – Entertainment Tonight

Hansen has consistently argued that ‘Primetime’ misrepresents significant aspects of his career, asserting that the film includes dialogues and events that never occurred. “He’s saying things I never said and doing things I never did, and that’s not who I am,” Hansen stated, distancing himself from the film’s broader narrative while still commending the performance.

Much of Hansen’s dissatisfaction also arises from how he claims he was treated during the film’s production. He has alleged that A24 requested he sign away rights to his name, image, and brand before allowing him to view an advance screening, an agreement he refused to sign. “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 explained. “I couldn’t sign that, so they didn’t show me the film. I went all the way over there.”

Despite his objections, Hansen has taken an unconventional approach to the film’s release by purchasing preshow advertising to run before every screening of ‘Primetime,’ using the opportunity to promote his own true-crime streaming service, TruBlu. This strategy has garnered attention for effectively turning a project he’s criticized into a promotional platform for his own competing venture.

‘Primetime’ is set to premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 5 before hitting theaters nationwide on September 25, giving audiences the chance to determine whether Pattinson’s performance meets the real Hansen’s expectations.

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