Robert Pattinson addressed public criticism from former television host Chris Hansen at the Venice Film Festival, stating that he hopes the media personality ultimately likes the upcoming A24 drama Primetime. According to Deadline and reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the British actor spoke about the project ahead of its world premiere as a Golden Lion contender at the festival.
The film, directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut, dramatizes the mid-2000s era of NBC’s true-crime program To Catch a Predator. In the feature, Pattinson portrays a character inspired by Hansen, who hosted the controversial broadcast from 2004 to 2007. The original series followed investigations where hidden cameras and actors posing as minors confronted adult males in sting houses, drawing millions of viewers before its cancellation in 2008 following the suicide of a target, Texas district attorney William “Bill” Conradt Jr.
Chris Hansen’s Objections and Legal Considerations
The former correspondent declined to sign a standard non-disclosure agreement required by studio A24 and characterized Pattinson’s performance in the trailer as overly dramatic, while questioning Hollywood’s motives for adapting his career. During a late August appearance on a SiriusXM podcast, Hansen stated he was exploring potential legal options regarding the unauthorized project, noting he had spoken with an entertainment lawyer who suggested a viable case, though he acknowledged the substantial time and effort required to pursue litigation.
Despite those objections, Pattinson explained at the Venice press conference that he did not set out to make a biopic strictly about Hansen. Instead, the actor described a magnetic quality to the host’s on-screen presence after reviewing thousands of hours of original broadcast footage. Curiously, Hansen has acknowledged that his own family members believe Pattinson’s vocal impression and mannerisms in the role are remarkably accurate.
The feature draws loosely from a 2007 Esquire article titled “Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die.” Alongside Pattinson, the cast includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and musician Phoebe Bridgers, who makes her acting debut in the project. Bridgers and Gisondo joined Pattinson at the Venice press conference to discuss the film, which runs at the festival through September 12.
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