Chris Hansen shares blunt reaction after watching Robert Pattinson play him in ‘Primetime’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Chris Hansen finally watched Robert Pattinson’s 'Primetime' and had some strong thoughts after seeing the film.

The former 'To Catch a Predator' host called Pattinson’s film "bizarre" and said it had little connection to reality. Pattinson played the role of Hansen in the film. This is his official reaction, and he said the reality of the story is different.

On September 25, Hansen shared a short clip from his podcast and YouTube channel, where he slammed the film in his own way.

Chris Hansen finally reacts to Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of him in ‘Primetime’

The 67-year-old host revealed that he watched the film, which is based on real events that took place on Hansen’s show, weeks after scrutinizing the project during its development. 

Hansen said, “You know, obviously I’m not objective because the character is, you know, me,” Hansen said outside a movie theater. “But it was so detached from reality or anything I’ve ever experienced, then or now, doing the investigations.”

“I’m not sure what the point of it was,” he added. His facial expression appeared disappointed. In the caption, he wrote on X, “Well... I saw Primetime. My reaction tonight 7p eastern on my podcast/YouTube channel Have A Seat With Chris Hansen.”

Hansen has previously said that he was never consulted about the movie and declined an opportunity to view the film through its distributors. He also claimed that he was asked “to sign away my rights to my name, image and brand, essentially, as well as any potential legal rights that would come out of the movie” on Fox News’ Jesse Watters 'Primetime'.

The controversy behind Robert Pattinson’s new film 'Primetime'

The movie is inspired by the success of Hansen’s TV series 'To Catch a Predator', which began in 2004 as a series of segments on NBC’s 'Dateline'. The show revolved around adults who were lured to homes after believing they had been communicating with children online. 

However, they were unaware that they were actually communicating with adult crew members who were posing as minors as part of the series. The show was canceled in 2008. Coming back to the film, Pattinson never initially intended to be part of the project. However, he later joined after understanding the potential of the character.

"Chris was like a serious news reporter," Pattinson told the Associated Press. "And I think what’s sort of fascinating about the story as a whole was like seeing someone who... you’re a journalist." 

"You’re supposed to be in some ways a passive reporter of what’s going on and suddenly being recast in this thing where you’re not only like front and center of it but you’re kind of, your behavior, it’s setting the tone of the show," he added. 

"The fact that people are still discussing the ethics of it, of a 20-year-old TV show, I mean, it’s absolutely insane," Pattinson said during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.