To Catch a Predator host slams ‘unflattering’ portrayal in Robert Pattinson’s Primetime

Chris Hansen has critiqued Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of him in Primetime (Picture: Getty) The real-life inspiration behind Robert Pattinson’s latest role is less than thrilled with how he’s been portrayed on the big screen. Chris Hansen, the veteran US broadcaster synonymous with To Catch a Predator, has hit out at new A24 film Primetime, branding its version of events a ‘complete work of fiction’. The box office hit stars Pattinson as Hansen, whose hugely popular Dateline NBC investigations saw adults who believed they were meeting underage children instead confronted by the journalist – and, in later instalments, law enforcement. But Hansen, 67, believes moviegoers shouldn’t mistake Pattinson’s character for the man himself. While he acknowledged that having the Twilight star play him might ordinarily seem flattering, he told Variety: ‘The way it was done is certainly not flattering.’ Hansen claimed virtually everything depicted in the movie had been fictionalised beyond his name, several familiar catchphrases and its grounding in real events. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Directed by Lance Oppenheim, Primetime takes inspiration from a 2009 Esquire article examining one particularly controversial chapter in To Catch a Predator history. That centred on Louis William Conradt Jr, an assistant district attorney who died by suicide in 2006 as police attempted to serve a warrant at his Texas home during an investigation connected to the programme. Hansen strongly disputes the film’s interpretation of what happened and its portrayal of the programme’s team as pushing the investigation for ratings. He said nobody involved wanted Conradt’s death to occur and argued that the programme had been transparent about what happened at the time. Hansen was similarly unimpressed by Pattinson’s interpretation of him, describing the character’s exaggerated appearance and mannerisms as ‘over the top’. The journalist also questioned why filmmakers had chosen to use his real identity if they intended to depart so dramatically from reality, arguing that his name carried commercial value after decades spent building his career. Hansen described Pattinson’s portrayal as ‘not flattering’ He hasn’t taken Pattinson’s involvement personally, however, describing the 40-year-old as ‘a very good actor’. And Hansen’s objections apparently aren’t his alone. He said former Dateline colleagues had contacted him after seeing how their work was depicted, with some particularly unhappy about the characterisation of the production team. Hansen insisted he had never behaved towards colleagues in the aggressive manner shown on screen and suggested filmmakers may have avoided consulting him because his recollections wouldn’t fit their intended story. Even his wife apparently found the finished product difficult to take entirely seriously. The film has been a box office hit (Picture: Everett/Shutterstock) The pair watched the film together, with Hansen saying they found its fictional elements so extreme that becoming genuinely upset by them was difficult. There could, however, still be a real-world sequel in the form of legal action. Hansen revealed lawyers are examining the situation, although he stressed he hasn’t made a decision about whether to pursue anything against A24. He also joked that the controversy has produced an unexpected benefit. Hansen bought cinema advertising for TruBlu, his streaming platform, to run before screenings of Primetime across the US – meaning audiences turning up to watch Pattinson’s fictionalised Chris Hansen may first encounter the real one. And despite his objections, he isn’t telling viewers to boycott it. Instead, he simply wants audiences to remember one thing when Pattinson appears on screen. ‘They need to know that it’s completely fiction,’ he said. Arrow MORE: Gypsy Rose Blanchard slams ‘relentless cruelty’ in statement after partner Ken Urker’s death Arrow MORE: Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s relationship history after partner Ken Urker dies aged 34 Arrow MORE: Ray J, 45, rushed to hospital during livestream after claiming he had ‘months to live’ Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.