Robert Pattinson responds after Chris Hansen calls Primetime film an ‘insult’

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Robert Pattinson has responded to Chris Hansen’s criticism of Primetime, a dramatisation of his NBC Dateline show To Catch a Predator, which he branded an “insult”.

The movie is inspired by the enormous success of Hansen’s TV series To Catch a Predator, which began in 2004 first as a single segment on the US magazine show Dateline NBC, before being spun off into its own series.

The show saw alleged child predators lured into the homes of children they believed they had been communicating with online, unaware that the children in question were actually adult crew members of the series pretending to be underage.

Despite being cancelled in 2008, the subject remains relevant, having been featured in David Osit’s acclaimed documentary, Predators, last year.

Pattinson did not intend to star, originally helping develop it through his production company. But as he shaped the story and character, he realised what a strong part he had.

“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.”

Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen in 'Primetime' — Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen in ‘Primetime’ (AP)

Hansen has commented, vocalising his thoughts on the film, from proposing Denis Leary for the lead to questioning A24 and the filmmakers over using his name.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he called the Esquire story “a bit of a hit piece.” He also bought pre-show ads for his true crime platform TruBlu to screen before “Primetime” showings.

Pattinson said he was not surprised Hansen was speaking out.

“He’s a public person,” Pattinson said. “He is also just being asked about it. It’s kind of, I mean, I get it. But I’m surprised about the level of traction that everything gets.”

“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 adds.