Chris Hansen Questions “Hollywood’s Motive” With ‘Primetime,’ Says He’d Have Cast Denis Leary

Because that Primetime movie trailer starring Robert Pattinson makes the former "To Catch a Predator" host look rather obsessed with fame. To his credit, however, Hansen says he refuses to judge Primetime until he actually sees it (which will be next week, he says).

But during an interview with podcaster Annie Elise, Hansen gave some preliminary thoughts about the project. I know [Robert Pattinson] is a popular actor, and I know the director [Lance Oppenheim] is a popular guy.

What Happened

Hansen noted he "didn't get to choose my own guy" to play him. When asked who he would have picked, he replied, "Years ago, I had crafted a script and thought Denis Leary would be a good guy to play me —.

• The program was canceled amid legal and ethical fallout after one of the show's suspects shot himself as police and NBC's cameras entered his home.

• The program worked with watchdog group Perverted Justice to lure men who believed they were arranging sexual encounters with minors to a sting house, where they were confronted by Hansen, a camera team and.

• Primetime also stars Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher and Bokeem Woodbine.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Yahoo as more details emerge