Robert Pattinson Walked City Streets Reciting Dark True Crime Cases to Nail Chris Hansen’s Voice for ‘Primetime’

Actors have gone to strange lengths to prepare for iconic roles, from radical physical transformations to months of dialect coaching. But few preparation stories sound quite as unusual as the one Robert Pattinson recently shared about stepping into the shoes of a real-life television journalist known for one of the most recognizable voices in true crime media.

Pattinson is set to star as Chris Hansen, the former host of “To Catch a Predator,” in A24’s upcoming film ‘Primetime,’ which chronicles the intense production, ethical dilemmas, and media sensationalism surrounding the controversial NBC series that ran from 2004 to 2007. Capturing Hansen’s unmistakable vocal cadence proved to be one of the most demanding parts of the role.

Speaking with GQ India, Pattinson revealed the unconventional method he used to master Hansen’s voice, describing the process as “incredibly difficult” given how distinctive the journalist’s tone really is. His solution involved turning to Hansen’s own podcast for material, with results that apparently confused more than a few strangers along the way.

Pattinson explained that he leaned heavily on “Have a Seat with Chris Hansen,” the podcast where Hansen discusses his old cases, to study the host’s speech patterns firsthand. “He has a podcast discussing his old cases, and I was just walking around constantly trying to imitate his voice, but it’s pretty dark material,” Pattinson said, according to GQ India.

The actor didn’t shy away from admitting how strange the process must have looked to onlookers. “I’m wandering around the streets saying what he’s talking about, and people are incredibly confused with what’s going on,” Pattinson said, according to GQ India. He added that despite the difficulty, Hansen’s voice remained genuinely iconic to him, which made getting it right feel worth the effort.

Beyond the vocal preparation, Pattinson also opened up about his broader connection to the project, noting that ‘Primetime’ marked the first film he’s produced from the very beginning alongside director Lance Oppenheim. He described the experience as a true team effort, with everyone throwing themselves into making the ambitious project work.

Unsurprisingly, Hansen’s own reaction to Pattinson’s portrayal has become part of the story surrounding the film’s release. Hansen, who was not directly involved in the production, has been somewhat critical of the project overall, previously questioning what he described as “Hollywood’s motive” behind making the film.

Still, when it comes to the impression itself, Hansen offered a fairly measured take. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Hansen acknowledged that Pattinson had clearly done his homework, saying the portrayal came across as overly dramatic but ultimately “a pretty good imitation” based on what he’d seen in the trailer.

Hansen also noted that his own family had weighed in on the performance, adding that their opinion mattered more to him than his own assessment of the impression. That kind of candid, slightly reluctant endorsement seems fitting for a film built around a journalist whose legacy remains complicated even among those closest to him.

‘Primetime’ is scheduled to hit theaters on September 25, giving audiences their first full look at how Pattinson’s take on Hansen plays out across a feature-length narrative. Early buzz around the role has already suggested awards season potential, adding another layer of anticipation to the film’s release.

Between the unconventional preparation process and Hansen’s own mixed but ultimately favorable reaction, ‘Primetime’ looks positioned to spark plenty of conversation once it reaches wider audiences. Whether Pattinson’s voice work becomes the film’s defining talking point or just one piece of a larger ethical puzzle remains to be seen.

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