Chris Hansen is getting ahead of the story by buying ads that will run before every screening of A24’s movie about him. Audiences who go to see Robert Pattinson play the infamous To Catch a Predator host in the upcoming thriller Primetime will first be met with a pre-show spot that Hansen himself bought to highlight his streaming network, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter. In the commercial, he tells audiences to check out his network, TruBlu, which showcases the sort of predator investigations that are featured in the new movie.
According to THR, Hansen says in the spot: “Now there are more platforms than ever before where this disturbing crime is being committed. Join us undercover every day on my streaming network, TruBlu.” TruBlu did not immediately return The Independent’s request for comment. Hansen, 66, hosted To Catch a Predator for its entire run on NBC Dateline from 2004 to 2007.
The show became famous for Hansen’s ability to lure suspected sex predators into an on-camera confrontation. It was canceled in 2006 after a Texas district attorney Bill Conradt killed himself while being targeted in one of Hansen’s sting operations. A24’s new movie, out September 25, is a dark take on the origins of Hansen’s program, with Pattinson doing a pitch-perfect impression of the TV personality’s voice in the trailer for the film.
Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the film also stars Unbelievable actor Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo and singer Phoebe Bridgers in her acting debut. Despite being at the center of the twisted story, Hansen was not involved in the making of the movie and does not appear to be a fan. According to THR’s report, Hansen wanted to end his TruBlu commercial by telling audiences that they were about to see “a Hollywood fantasy version” of the true events, but the line was removed out of concern for potential pushback from A24.
The studio did not return The Independent’s request for comment. On Wednesday, he told Mediaite that he considered the movie a “work of fiction” because they did not consult him. New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial.
Plan auto-renews until cancelled. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. It feels sneaky and disingenuous to me.” The veteran journalist said in podcast interviews and on Fox News that he was invited to a private screening of the movie, but walked out after refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
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