Chris Hansen news
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The gist
Chris Hansen walked out of an Aug. 20 screening of A24's "Primetime" after refusing to sign an NDA. He wants the film labeled fiction and a donation to victim organizations.
Background
A24's "Primetime" is a film starring Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen, the former host of "To Catch a Predator." Hansen has criticized the film as "totally made up" and is upset that it is marketed as "inspired by true events" without his involvement. The film is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
How it unfolded
- Aug 20, 2026Chris Hansen walked out of a screening of "Primetime" at A24's Manhattan offices after declining to sign a nondisclosure agreement.
- Aug 30, 2026AP News previews the Venice Film Festival, noting the film's premiere and Pattinson's role as Hansen.
- Aug 31, 2026Los Angeles Times reports Hansen hasn't seen the film and details his demands: label it fiction and donate to victim organizations.
- Sep 1, 2026Pattinson tells GQ that playing Hansen was "actually incredibly difficult," especially mastering his iconic voice.
- Sep 2, 2026Hansen tells Entertainment Tonight the film is "totally made up" and calls Pattinson's performance "overly dramatic," though his family thinks it's a "pretty good imitation."
- Sep 3, 2026Director Lance Oppenheim responds to Hansen's complaints, saying he can't speak to the NDA issue but hopes Hansen sees the film as an exploration of the work's impact.
- Sep 5, 2026At a Venice press conference, Pattinson says he hopes Hansen takes the film as a compliment, noting Hansen's role in keeping the show relevant.
Who’s saying what
- Hansen
- Hansen says the film is "totally made up" and wants it labeled fiction, not "inspired by true events," and calls Pattinson's performance "overly dramatic."
- Director
- Oppenheim says the film is an exploration of what such work does to the people who make it, and he hopes Hansen knows that.
- Pattinson
- Pattinson hopes Hansen sees the film as a compliment, noting Hansen's character inspired many involved and kept the show relevant.
Still unverified
Hansen's claim that he was asked to sign away legal rights to view the film is disputed by the director, who says he wasn't present. Hansen's assertion that the film is "totally made up" is his opinion; the film is marketed as "inspired by true events."