Chris Hansen Indicates He Hasn’t Ruled Out Legal Action Over A24’s ‘Primetime’: ‘It Feels Very Exploitive to Me’

Chris Hansen, the host of the long-running "Dateline" series "To Catch a Predator," has yet to decide whether to take legal action against A24's new film "Primetime." This adaptation, directed by Lance Oppenheim and starring Robert Pattinson as Hansen, has sparked controversy since its trailer debuted in early August. The film dramatizes Hansen's life and the controversial TV show, which lured would-be predators for sting operations that sometimes ended tragically.

Hansen told media personality Dan Abrams that he's uncertain about pursuing legal action, as one lawyer suggested he might have a decent case but questioned how much time he's willing to invest. A24's trailer for "Primetime" has garnered over 43 million views, making it the studio's most-watched trailer to date, just behind "Backrooms."

The trailer features a darker tone, portraying Hansen as a ratings-driven opportunist. Hansen claims the film inaccurately depicts his real-life interactions, including a scene where Pattinson's character suggests his actions against predators are "worse than bleeding them." He also criticizes A24 for not reaching out to him until shortly before the trailer's release, suggesting the film's commercial value may have influenced their decision.

Hansen described A24's team as "sneaky and disingenuous," alleging they attempted to block him from seeing the movie unless he agreed to sign away his rights to his name, image, and brand. He insists he only wants to watch the film without signing any documents that could restrict his ability to speak about the project.