'Never Took Place': Chris Hansen Says Robert Pattinson Film Is a Fabrication and 'Work of Fiction'

Chris Hansen spoke out about Primetime, the upcoming film starring Robert Pattinson.

"Most people are shocked when I tell them that I had nothing to do with the movie," he said on The Dan Abrams Show on August 27.

He continued, "This is a work of fiction."

The film, which is set for release on September 25, dramatizes Hansen’s work on To Catch a Predator.

Hansen said the trailer did not accurately reflect his experience on television.

"It’s overly dramatic… How could they tell the story without having talked to anybody who was directly involved?" he questioned.

The former host then offered another criticism of the preview.

"The conversations you heard in the trailer never took place in real life," he added.

Hansen explained that A24 contacted him in May, shortly before the first trailer was released. He said he was approached about helping with promotional efforts but felt the timing came too late.

He also recalled learning through a mutual connection that director Lance Oppenheim believed direct contact with him was unnecessary because the project was intended as a "love letter to Chris Hansen."

The conversation with Dan Abrams also turned toward potential legal concerns surrounding the film.

"They didn’t have to use my name. They didn’t have to use the names of people with whom I’ve worked," he said.

Hansen also criticized the portrayal of one of his producers, particularly a scene showing the host yelling at his crew.

"Was so upset the other day because [the trailer] cast her in a negative light," he revealed.

Hansen further suggested his identity remained central to the project because "it’s of value."

He believed his name carried enough recognition to draw audiences and "will bring people in the theater."

Hansen also addressed an advance screening he was invited to attend. According to his account, he was asked to sign a release before seeing the film and chose not to sign the NDA after consulting his attorneys.

When he later arrived for the screening, Hansen said he was told he could not watch the movie without signing the document.

"I understand that you wanna protect your intellectual property," he said.

Hansen then questioned how his own work and identity were being protected.

"But what about my intellectual property?" Hansen asked.

While some coverage has characterized his comments as a conflict with A24, Hansen pushed back on that framing. He said his main concern was being able to see the film without accepting legal conditions he was unwilling to sign.

"They were sneaky and disingenuous about it," he admitted.