- Primary Subject: Chris Hansen's reaction to Robert Pattinson playing him in Primetime
- Key Update: Chris Hansen shared his candid thoughts on Robert Pattinson's portrayal of him in the upcoming biopic.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: August 31, 2026
- Quick Answer: Chris Hansen called Robert Pattinson's trailer performance "overly dramatic" and fictionalized, though his family considers it a surprisingly good imitation.
Chris Hansen recently shared his candid thoughts on the casting of Robert Pattinson as him in the upcoming biopic Primetime.
The To Catch a Predator host is the subject of a new A24 film that will explore the making of the hit TV series that shocked American airwaves and its popularity in the aftermath. However, Hansen himself is not involved in the production of the project.
Now, the famed TV host has given his two cents on Pattinson's portrayal of him.
What Does Chris Hansen Think of Robert Pattinson's Portrayal in Primetime?
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In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Hansen offered his take on Pattinson's performance as him in Primetime based on the trailer that he has seen.
He said, "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."
However, Hansen's family was more favorable of Pattinson's portrayal.
"It’s not so much what I think; it’s what other people think. And you know, my wife, my family seem to think it’s a pretty good imitation," he added.
Despite all of that, Hansen emphasized that Pattinson's performance is not an accurate portrayal of him, and it's still a Hollywood interpretation of the events of his life.
"He’s saying things I never said and doing things I never did, and that’s not who I am. I’m a nice guy, except when it comes to criminals and predators. I think people should remember that it is a work of fiction, only based on real-life events," he said.
To this day, Hansen has still not seen the final cut of the film, despite the previous attempt for him to attend an early screening.
What Is Primetime About?
Primetime focuses on Chris Hansen, who sets out to make television history as he launches the series To Catch a Predator, where he confronts child sexual predators who arrive at a sting house and are arrested as a result.
The cast includes Robert Pattinson (as Hansen), Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Bokeem Woodbine, Anna Faris, Tony Revolori, and Jeff Zucker (as himself).
Lance Oppenheim directed the film in his narrative feature debut. It is based on Luke Dittrich's 2007 Esquire article "Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die." Hansen is not involved in the production.
The film is slated for release in North American theaters on September 25. It will have its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.
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