Chris Hansen Walked Out of A24's Private Screening of 'Primetime' Over Rights Dispute

Chris Hansen, the former To Catch a Predator host whose career is now the subject of an A24 feature film, said he left the studio's private screening of Primetime without watching it because A24 asked him to sign away his rights.

Hansen made the comments during an interview on Fox News' Jesse Watters Primetime on Thursday evening, telling the host that A24's lawyers wanted him to sign away rights to his name, image and brand, as well as any potential legal claims that could arise from the film. He refused. The Hollywood Reporter

The screening was arranged at A24's offices. Hansen said his lawyers had reviewed the non-disclosure agreement in advance of his arrival. He also said other people had seen Primetime without signing an NDA, though A24's position is that the document is standard practice for any preview audience watching an unreleased film. The Hollywood Reporter learned that Hansen was asked to sign the same NDA that all preview audiences must sign — a routine confidentiality measure studios use to protect unreleased work from leaks.

Primetime stars Robert Pattinson as the Dateline NBC correspondent and chronicles the production, ethical dilemmas and media sensationalism behind To Catch a Predator, the NBC hidden-camera sting series that ran from 2004 to 2007. The film is described as "inspired by true events" and was directed by Lance Oppenheim. The cast also includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher and Bokeem Woodbine. A24 released the official trailer on 7 August, giving audiences their first look at Pattinson in the role. Variety

Hansen's concerns about the film predate the screening. In an earlier interview on the Serialously With Annie Elise podcast, Hansen questioned "Hollywood's motive" behind Primetime but said he would reserve judgement until he had actually seen it. He told podcaster Annie Elise that A24 had reached out to him a couple of months before the interview about helping with the film, but production had already wrapped by then. He suspected the studio used his name because it carries commercial value. Deadline

Hansen also told the podcast he would share his thoughts on Pattinson's portrayal of him after seeing the film — something that, for now, remains on hold.

Primetime opens in theatres on 25 September.