Chris Hansen is considering possible legal action over A24’s upcoming film Primetime, which stars Robert Pattinson in a role inspired by the former To Catch a Predator host.

During an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Dan Abrams Show, Hansen revealed that people are currently looking into his legal options and said one experienced entertainment attorney suggested he could have a viable case. However, Hansen remains unsure whether pursuing legal action would be worth the time and attention it could bring to the film.

One of his concerns is that publicly challenging the project could ultimately work in A24’s favour by creating additional publicity and positioning Primetime as a movie he does not want audiences to see. Hansen pointed out that he has not actually watched the finished film yet, making it difficult for him to determine what action, if any, he should take.

Hansen has also raised concerns about the film’s use of his name, as well as the names of his colleagues and family members, particularly because he believes the project is presenting a fictionalized version of events. He described the situation as feeling “very exploitive” and criticized the filmmakers for moving ahead without being more transparent with him about how his story would be portrayed.

The controversy follows Hansen’s unsuccessful attempt to attend a private screening of Primetime. He previously said he was invited to view the film but refused to sign what he described as a highly restrictive agreement. Hansen claimed the document could have affected his rights regarding his name, image, brand and potential future legal claims.

The agreement was reportedly a non-disclosure agreement required of preview audiences ahead of the unreleased film in order to protect the movie from spoilers and other leaks. After Hansen declined to sign it, he was not permitted to attend the screening.

Despite his concerns about the movie, Hansen has found his own way to capitalize on its release. He purchased advertising space that will run ahead of screenings of Primetime to promote TruBlu, his true-crime streaming network, where he continues conducting sting operations through programs including Takedown with Chris Hansen.

Directed by Lance Oppenheim, Primetime stars Pattinson as Hansen and dramatizes the rise of NBC’s To Catch a Predator, the hidden-camera series that ran from 2004 to 2007 and became known for confronting adult men who believed they were arranging sexual encounters with minors online.

Primetime is scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 25.

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