Former Dateline NBC host Chris Hansen has spoken out about Primetime, an upcoming movie starring Robert Pattinson as the investigative reporter.
Hansen, 66, revealed on Monday during an appearance on the podcast Serialously With Annie Elise that he has not yet seen an advance screening of the Lance Oppenheim film before its release in theaters next month.
The television journalist explained that he has only viewed the official preview for the motion picture, which he described as looking very dramatic, but confirmed he is scheduled to attend a private screening of the film next week.
"Until I see the full movie, you know, I as a reporter, it's sort of silly for me to talk about something that I haven't seen yet - so I'm going to see it," Hansen said on the podcast. "Then I'll be able to tell you whether I like it or don't like it, and how dramatized it is."
Hollywood Motives and Casting Choice
Questioning the intentions behind the project, Hansen added: "You know, what's Hollywood's motive here? We don't know, but I'll find out."
Hansen noted that he suspected filmmakers used his name "because it helps in a commercial enterprise." Addressing Pattinson playing him on screen, Hansen remarked: "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."
He revealed that he had "discussions years ago about" a potential silver screen adaptation of the series, noting that he "thought Dennis Leary would be a good guy" to play him in a film.
"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," he added.
Behind the Production of Primetime
Hansen clarified that he did not have a hand in the production of Primetime, which is due in theaters on September 25. However, individuals involved with the film reached out to him after it had finished shooting.
"We had heard, you know, obviously, with all the different properties I have and all the platforms, some of the people who are involved in the management also tangentially have relationships in the Hollywood world," Hansen explained. "So we had heard that this was in the works a couple months ago."
He added that representatives from the project subsequently contacted him directly. "They came out and said, 'Hey, look, we're doing this. We'd like you to have some sort of, you know, consideration in terms of helping us with this,'" Hansen recalled.
Distributed by independent film studio A24, Primetime features an ensemble cast alongside Pattinson, including Anna Faris, Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers and Tony Revolori. The Daily Mail reached out to representatives of A24 for further comment on the story but has not heard back yet.
The History of To Catch a Predator
To Catch a Predator originally aired as a segment on Dateline NBC between 2004 and 2007. Developed in partnership with local law enforcement agencies and the watchdog group Perverted Justice, the hidden camera program involved Hansen and a broadcast camera crew confronting adults suspected of sexual crimes as part of coordinated stings.
When suspected predators arrived at a home, they were greeted by NBC cameras and Hansen, who attempted to interview them prior to their arrests by police officers, often reading back graphic passages from internet chats.
Ratings Success and Cancelation Controversy
While a ratings hit for NBC, To Catch a Predator garnered controversy amid legal and ethical questions, which ultimately led to its 2008 cancelation.
In November 2006, a Texas assistant district attorney named Bill Conradt took his own life after police entered his home to arrest him while Hansen and his crew waited outside.
