Chris Hansen, the former host of the NBC segment "To Catch a Predator," has broken his silence regarding an upcoming film that chronicles his time with the controversial show. The movie, titled "Primetime," stars Robert Pattinson as Hansen.
Hansen, 66, stated in a recent interview on the podcast "Serialously With Annie Elise" that he has not yet viewed an advanced screening of the film, which is slated for a theatrical release next month. He indicated he plans to attend a private screening soon.
"You know, what's Hollywood's motive here? We don't know, but I'll find out," Hansen said. He added that while he has seen the film's preview, which he described as "very dramatic," he prefers to reserve judgment until he has seen the complete movie.
"To Catch a Predator" was a segment featured on "Dateline NBC" from 2004 to 2007. It involved Hansen and a camera crew confronting adults suspected of sexual crimes, often after they were lured to a location as part of a sting operation. The segment was developed in partnership with local law enforcement and the watchdog group Perverted Justice. During the show, Hansen would interview the suspects, frequently reading back graphic chat logs before their arrests by police.
Despite being a ratings success, "To Catch a Predator" faced scrutiny over its legal and ethical implications, contributing to its cancellation in 2008. The show had a notable incident in November 2006 when Bill Conradt, an assistant district attorney in Texas, died by suicide after police entered his home to arrest him while Hansen and his crew were present.
Hansen stated that he was not involved in the production of "Primetime." Representatives from the film's distributor, A24, have not yet responded to requests for comment.
He also mentioned that he had previous discussions about a potential film adaptation of the series years ago and had envisioned Dennis Leary playing him. Hansen acknowledged that filmmakers likely used his name for commercial purposes and that he did not choose Pattinson to portray him.
"Obviously they want a commercial endeavor to succeed, and they think this is the way it's going to succeed - you know, I didn't get to choose my own guy," Hansen commented on Pattinson's casting. He also noted his own busy schedule, stating, "I've been busy being the real Chris Hansen, so I don't have a lot of time to focus on the fake Chris Hansen."
"Primetime," which also features Anna Faris and Merritt Wever, is scheduled for release on September 25.
