Chris Hansen is considering suing A24 over Primetime. In an interview with Variety, the former To Catch a Predator host accused the studio of exploiting his name and personal brand for commercial enterprise, saying lawyers are reviewing the case. The Chris Hansen Primetime lawsuit threat marks the latest escalation in his public dispute with the studio.
Hansen has also dismissed Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of him, calling it “bizarre” and “detached from reality.” He said the film, which A24 labels “inspired by true events,” uses only his name and “two or three catchphrases” without fictionalization, everything else, he argues, is invented. “They exploited me and my brand and my name image for commercial enterprise,” Hansen told Variety. He has acknowledged Pattinson is “a very good actor” and said his criticism is directed at the creative decision to use his identity without his input, not at the actor himself.
Hansen has said he declined an advance screening because A24 asked him to sign an NDA he found overly restrictive, and he watched the film on opening night in a Times Square theater instead. No lawsuit has been filed, and Hansen has said there is “no rush” to proceed. Primetime is currently in theaters.
