Robert Pattinson has responded to Chris Hansen’s concerns about Primetime. The actor plays the former To Catch a Predator host in the new film. Hansen has criticized the movie and said he never took part in its production. Pattinson hopes that Hansen can look at the film as a compliment to his career.
Robert Pattinson addressed Chris Hansen’s bitter casting backlash during the Primetime premiere at the Venice Film Festival
Pattinson spoke about Hansen during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival. “Obviously, I hope he likes the movie,” he said, according to Entertainment Weekly. Pattinson said he never set out to make a movie about Hansen. He added that the script felt “electrifying” when he first read it.
Pattinson also praised Hansen’s impact on To Catch a Predator. “The more you watch the show, there’s something magnetic about his presence,” he said. Hansen played a key role in making the show memorable and inspiring Oppenheim’s film, he said. “Something [Hansen]’s doing is the reason why people are still talking about that show 20 years later,” Pattinson added.
Hansen has repeatedly criticized Primetime and said the filmmakers did not consult him. He also questioned Hollywood’s “intentions” and has not watched the full film. Hansen previously said he worked on his own movie and thought Denis Leary could play him. He called Pattinson’s performance a “pretty good imitation” but said it looked “overly dramatic.”
Despite the focus on the film, Hansen has still been able to market his own true-crime network, TruBlu. He bought ads that will run before Primetime screenings and in theater lobbies. The film also stars Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher, Bokeem Woodbine and Anna Faris. Primetime arrives in theaters Sept. 25. The film’s release will give audiences a chance to see Pattinson’s take on the famous TV host.
