Chris Hansen Blasts A24's Film Primetime for Twisting His 'To Catch a Predator' Story Into Something 'Evil'

Chris Hansen has blasted A24's film Primetime, accusing the filmmakers of turning his To Catch a Predator story into a dark and fictionalised version of events that he says bears little resemblance to reality.

The former Dateline NBC correspondent, portrayed by Robert Pattinson in the film, has repeatedly criticised the project ahead of its US cinema release. Hansen has called the movie an 'insult' and objected to what he says is an overly dramatic portrayal of his work.

Chris Hansen Slams A24's Film Primetime

Hansen told TMZ that he considers Primetime an 'insult' and remains unhappy with how his career has been portrayed. He has not seen the finished film after walking out of a 20 August screening arranged by A24 when he declined to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Hansen accused Hollywood of having 'twisted it into something that's evil.'

'The reality is, the studio and the director set out to make a completely dark work of fiction,' Hansen told the outlet, adding that he was disappointed a Hollywood studio would take something he believes 'has accomplished so much good' and turn it into something 'evil and overly dramatic.'

Hansen has also disputed elements shown in the film's trailers and said the filmmakers did not properly consult him before using his name and the names of people connected to his life.

'Nothing in the trailer ever happened in real life,' Hansen claimed.

Film Depicts Hansen's 'To Catch a Predator'

Primetime is directed by Lance Oppenheim and stars Pattinson as a fictionalised version of Hansen during the rise of To Catch a Predator.

The film is inspired in part by a 2007 Esquire article about a 2006 sting involving Texas assistant district attorney Louis William 'Bill' Conradt Jr, who died by suicide after police went to his home as part of an operation connected to the programme.

The film dramatises the controversial circumstances surrounding the sting while also exploring Hansen's pursuit of television success and the ethical questions surrounding the series.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Hansen objected to the film being described as 'inspired by true events' and wanted it labelled fiction instead. A24 has said no consultation or permission was required.

Hansen Refuses Early Screening

Hansen travelled to A24's Manhattan offices for an early screening but left without watching the film after declining to sign an NDA. He has said he believed the agreement could prevent him from raising legal objections to the way he was portrayed.

As previously reported by the IBTimes UK, sources close to Hansen said he was consulting lawyers over his options once the film was released. No legal proceedings against A24 have been announced.

Despite his criticism, Hansen has said he plans to watch Primetime once it is publicly available.

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival on 5 September, while Pattinson has said he hopes Hansen ultimately likes the film despite his objections.

Primetime is scheduled to open in US cinemas on 25 September. The dispute has put Hansen back at the centre of public attention as he continues to host Takedown with Chris Hansen, a 'Predator'-style show available through his TruBlu streaming service.