Primetime Director Bribed Robert Pattinson With Zyn to Star in Film

Key Points:

• Director Lance Oppenheim persuaded Robert Pattinson to play Chris Hansen in the film Primetime by exploiting Pattinson's addiction to Zyn nicotine pouches, arranging for 200 canisters to be sent to his home during a U.S. shortage.
• Primetime, which chronicles the ethical dilemmas and media sensationalism of the To Catch a Predator series, was years in the making and faced initial struggles to gain Hollywood interest until Pattinson and his producing partner showed enthusiasm for the script.
• Pattinson initially signed on as a producer but was convinced to act in the film after the character of Hansen was rewritten to be more compelling, reflecting a conceptual figure based on Hansen's public persona across multiple media.
• Despite a busy schedule, Pattinson extensively researched Hansen by watching episodes, podcasts, and interviews, aiming to capture the unpredictable nature and "alchemy" of Hansen's role in real time as he became unexpectedly famous.
• The film explores the complex production and cultural impact of To Catch a Predator, with Pattinson intrigued by the challenge of portraying a character grappling with the ethical and personal dimensions behind Hansen's public image.