Primetime an “Insult,” No Regrets on Controversial Sting
The Hollywood Reporter • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Chris Hansen has not seen the film Primetime and refuses to sign a restrictive NDA to view it, objecting to its fictionalized portrayal of his work on To Catch a Predator.
- The film, starring Robert Pattinson as Hansen, dramatizes the 2006 Dateline NBC sting operations, but Hansen criticizes it for turning a serious investigative effort into a dark, horror-like narrative.
- Hansen alleges that A24 did not consult him during production, despite using his name and likeness for commercial gain, while former NBC chief Jeff Zucker was involved and appears as himself in the film.
- Hansen purchased ad space to promote his streaming network TruBlu before Primetime screenings, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to predator investigations and distancing himself from the film's portrayal.
- Legal experts note Hansen faces a high bar for defamation claims as a public figure, and while he is exploring legal options, he remains focused on his investigative work and helping crime victims.
