Hansen Praises Pattinson's Portrayal but Calls It Overly Dramatic

Chris Hansen, former host of 'To Catch a Predator,' acknowledged that Robert Pattinson's performance as him in the upcoming film 'Primetime' includes a convincing imitation, though he finds it exaggerated. Hansen noted that his wife and family were more receptive to the portrayal, but he stressed that the character says and does things he never did, reminding audiences the movie is fiction. He also reiterated that he was not involved in the production, citing A24's demand for him to sign away rights to his name and image.

Hansen's public comments mark a notable shift from his earlier stance, as he now acknowledges Pattinson captured certain mannerisms effectively despite his reservations about the dramatization. The former Dateline host has consistently emphasized the distinction between his real-life persona and the fictionalized character, noting that his family's positive reaction to the performance has given him some perspective on the portrayal.

The legal friction between Hansen and A24 stems from the studio's request that he relinquish control over his name and image rights before viewing the film. In response, Hansen has taken an unconventional approach by purchasing pre-show advertisements across all screenings, using the platform to promote TruBlu, his own streaming network dedicated to predator investigation content.