# Production and controversy of film ‘Primetime’

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/production-and-controversy-of-film-primetime
> Updated: 2026-08-23T10:47:17.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

A24 announced the film ‘Primetime’, directed by Lance Oppenheim and produced by Ari Aster, which stars Robert Pattinson as journalist Chris Hansen. The film, set during the height of reality television in the early 2000s, depicts Hansen’s work with ‘Dateline NBC’ and the series ‘To Catch a Predator’. It was selected for the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.

Following the announcement, controversy emerged involving the real-life Chris Hansen. Hansen reportedly walked away from a private early screening at A24 offices, expressing concerns over the film’s commercial motives and describing the trailer as “overly dramatic”. The dispute centered on Hansen’s refusal to sign a waiver regarding his rights to the film’s content, which he characterized as an “extremely restrictive statement”.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-23: Robert Pattinson film ‘Primetime’ sparks controversy with Chris Hansen

Robert Pattinson stars in ‘Primetime’, a film about journalist Chris Hansen and ‘To Catch a Predator’. Hansen reportedly skipped an early screening after refusing to sign a restrictive rights waiver.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/robert-pattinson-film-primetime-sparks-controversy-with-chris-hansen

### 2026-08-21: Robert Pattinson to star in A24 film ‘Primetime’

Robert Pattinson will star in A24’s ‘Primetime’, a film about journalist Chris Hansen and the ‘To Catch a Predator’ series, set for release in Japan in 2027.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/robert-pattinson-to-star-in-a24-film-primetime

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Cite as: Production and controversy of film ‘Primetime’. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/production-and-controversy-of-film-primetime