Entertainment · Film · 8 hrs ago
Robert Pattinson says he wanted to make Chris Hansen look cool in ‘Primetime’
Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen in the film “Primetime,” now showing in theaters.
The film follows Hansen as he tries to make television history with NBC’s “To Catch a Predator,” which ran from 2004 to 2007.
The hidden-camera show staged stings targeting adult men seeking sex with minors online.
Pattinson says he is a fan of Hansen and tried to make him look cool in the film.
He says young viewers have attended screenings dressed as Hansen and are discovering his work.
Hansen has criticized the film and accused it of capitalizing on his name.
He has also considered legal action and bought advertising space before some screenings to promote his streaming network, TruBlu, where he continues sting investigations.
The film is currently playing in theaters.
Robert Pattinson said he approached his portrayal of Chris Hansen in Primetime as a fan and wanted to make Hansen look cool.
Hansen has criticized the film and accused it of capitalizing on his name.
Pattinson said young audiences are discovering Hansen through the film.
Primetime, directed by Lance Oppenheim and released by A24, is now playing in theaters.
The film follows Hansen’s work on NBC’s To Catch a Predator, which ran from 2004 to 2007.
- Who
- Robert Pattinson portrayed Chris Hansen in Primetime. Hansen has criticized the film.
- What
- Pattinson said he was trying to make Hansen look cool because he is a fan.
- When
- Pattinson’s comments were reported on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The film is playing in theaters. The comments were made to ET.
- Why
- Pattinson said he is a fan of Hansen and thinks young audiences are discovering his work.
Robert Pattinson
Chris Hansen
Use of Hansen’s name
Robert Pattinson
Pattinson said he was trying to make Hansen look cool and is a fan.
Chris Hansen
Hansen accused the film of capitalizing on his name.
I mean, it’s weird. I was trying to make him cool. He is cool. I’m a fan.
I think in some ways, it’s an aesthetic thing; what I think is cool might not be cool to other people.
From the screeners we’ve gone to, I think it’s amazing when you see really, really young audiences and people turning up dressed as Chris Hansen.
I think it’s kind of awesome, and it’s at the same age that I discovered him.
NBC’s To Catch a Predator ran, setting up stings for adult men seeking sex from minors online.
Primetime was based on an Esquire article by Luke Dittrich.
Pattinson said he was a fan of Hansen and wanted to make him look cool in the film.
Primetime is playing in theaters.
- Film
- Primetime
- Lead actor
- Robert Pattinson
- Subject portrayed
- Chris Hansen
- Director
- Lance Oppenheim
- Distributor
- A24
- Source article
- 2007 Esquire article by Luke Dittrich











