Robert Pattinson and Chris Hansen respond to ‘Primetime’ film

Actor Robert Pattinson and television presenter Chris Hansen have addressed the upcoming film ‘Primetime’, which features Pattinson playing a fictionalized version of Hansen during his ‘To Catch a Predator’ era.

At the Venice International Film Festival, Pattinson responded to criticisms from Hansen regarding the portrayal. Pattinson, who also served as a producer on the project, expressed hope that the film serves as a compliment to the inspiration Hansen’s career provided. The film is partially based on a 2007 Esquire article dramatizing events surrounding the Dateline NBC program.

Hansen has criticized the film, calling the production ‘an insult’ to those working to protect children and describing the source material as a ‘hit piece’. He expressed frustration that the producers at A24 did not seek his guidance. Additionally, Hansen addressed the incident that inspired part of the film involving the suicide of Bill Conradt, a former Texas assistant district attorney during a sting operation. Hansen stated he has ‘no regrets’ regarding the sting operations, describing the death as ‘unfortunate’ but noting that the individual chose to take his life rather than face criminal consequences.