Chris Hansen Weighs In on Upcoming Film “Primetime”

Former “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen discussed the forthcoming thriller *Primetime* in an interview with podcaster Annie Elise. Hansen said he has not yet seen the movie, which is slated for a September theatrical release, and expressed curiosity about how his name is being used in the project.

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*To Catch a Predator* aired from 2004 to 2007, partnering with the watchdog group Perverted Justice to expose men seeking sexual encounters with minors. The series ended after legal and ethical controversy, including a suspect’s suicide when police and NBC cameras entered his home. Hansen’s reputation remains tied to that high-profile sting operation.

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Hansen emphasized that commenting on a film he has not viewed would be “silly” for a reporter. He suggested the producers likely leveraged his name for commercial benefit and questioned Hollywood’s motives. He also noted that the filmmakers approached him only after the project was already underway, leaving him without input on casting or creative decisions. When asked who he would have preferred to portray him, Hansen mentioned that years ago he imagined Denis Leary in the role, depending on the story’s age. He concluded by asserting his focus on “being the real Chris Hansen” rather than participating in the fictionalized account.

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• “A couple months ago, they came and said, ‘Hey look, we’re doing this, we’d like you to have some sort of consideration in terms of helping us with this,’” — Chris Hansen

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• “As a reporter, it’s sort of silly for me to talk about something that I haven’t seen yet. My suspicion is that they used my name because it helps in a commercial enterprise.” — Related Video

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• “It looks dramatic. It looks very dramatic. I know [Robert Pattinson] is a popular actor, and I know the director [Lance Oppenheim] is a popular guy. I also have some questions: What’s Hollywood’s motive here?” — Chris Hansen

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These remarks capture Hansen’s tentative stance toward *Primetime* and his broader concerns about the film’s use of his public persona.

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