Chris Hansen is making his presence felt before Primetime screenings. The former To Catch a Predator host purchased preshow advertising space. The ads will run before every theatrical screening of A24’s film.
Chris Hansen purchased preshow ad space before every theatrical screening of A24’s Primetime
Robert Pattinson portrays Hansen in Primetime, which explores his controversial television work. The film opens September 25. Hansen has been vocal about the movie’s portrayal of his career. He reportedly declined an invitation to watch the film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he would have needed to sign an agreement limiting potential legal action against A24.
Sources close to Hansen also said he was consulting attorneys. Meanwhile, he found another way to respond. His advertisement will greet audiences before they watch Pattinson play him.
The commercial places Hansen back inside his familiar setting. He appears in a kitchen before addressing moviegoers directly. “I’m going to need everyone in the theatre to take a seat right over there,” he says.
The ad then points viewers toward his streaming network, TruBlu. “Now there are more platforms than ever before where this disturbing crime is being committed,” Hansen says. “Join us undercover every day on my streaming network, TruBlu.”
A QR code sends viewers to TruBlu’s landing page. The service features predator investigations and other true-crime programming. The promotion connects Hansen’s real work with the film’s central subject.
According to sources, Hansen wanted the advertisement to go further. He wanted to describe Primetime as “a Hollywood fantasy version” of what happened. However, concerns about potential backlash from A24 reportedly led to that line being removed.
The film was directed by Lance Oppenheim. It is based on Luke Dittrich’s 2007 Esquire article. That story examined the suicide of Bill Conradt after a televised sting operation. For Hansen, the advertising campaign offers a direct response. It also gives his TruBlu platform prominent exposure. Moviegoers will encounter the real Hansen before seeing Pattinson’s interpretation there.
