Lance Oppenheim Recruits Robert Pattinson for Primetime

Director Lance Oppenheim secured Robert Pattinson for his upcoming A24 film Primetime after sending the actor 200 canisters of nicotine pouches from Canada, according to an interview reported by NME on October 20, 2026. The unconventional casting effort helped persuade Pattinson to portray television host Chris Hansen in a drama about the controversial NBC program To Catch a Predator.

According to NME, Pattinson was initially attached to the project as a producer rather than its lead actor. Screenwriter Ajon Singh spent a week revising the screenplay to convince him to take the starring role, while Oppenheim pursued a more personal approach.

Oppenheim explained that Pattinson was struggling with nicotine pouch addiction at the time and that the products were reportedly in short supply in the United States. He arranged for a friend to ship 200 cases from Canada alongside the latest screenplay draft, addressing the package to "Chris Han-Zyn," a wordplay reference to the character Pattinson would portray.

"Rob, at the time, was grappling with a Zyn addiction," said Oppenheim, according to NME.

The director described Pattinson's eventual decision to join the production as a significant breakthrough in the casting process.

"It was like LeBron making the announcement that he was joining the Heat," said Oppenheim.

Primetime is set in 2006 and follows the rise of To Catch a Predator, an NBC television program that confronted adults suspected of arranging to meet minors they had contacted online. Pattinson portrays a fictionalized version of Hansen as his investigative program moves into a primetime television slot.

The film draws on the Esquire article Tonight On Dateline This Man Will Die, which details a botched sting operation that resulted in a man's suicide. Oppenheim has characterized the production as an unconventional interpretation of its subject rather than a traditional biographical film.

"Fever dream," said Oppenheim in describing the film, which he also characterized as an elaborate form of fan fiction, according to NME.

Hansen, whose career inspired the central character, has strongly criticized the film's portrayal of his work and personal life. In a video posted on X, he questioned the production's accuracy and its purpose.

"Obviously, I'm not objective because the character is me, but it was so detached from reality or anything I've ever experienced then or now doing the investigations. I'm not sure what the point of it was," said Hansen.

Hansen also criticized Pattinson's performance and the depiction of his relationship with his sons during an appearance on Fox News host Jesse Watters' Have A Seat podcast. He assigned the performance a D and argued that the film relied heavily on fictionalized material.

"What bothered me most was it portrayed me as an aloof, detached father to my sons, which was so far from reality, and for them to do that really is just a cheap shot with no entertainment, literary or benefit to any viewer or society," said Hansen.

He further questioned the film's fairness and value to audiences.

"It's just mean-spirited, untrue and unworthy of the viewer's time," said Hansen.

The cast also includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo and Phoebe Bridgers. Oppenheim previously directed the documentaries Some Kind of Heaven and Spermworld, while Pattinson has worked with filmmakers including David Cronenberg and Robert Eggers following his rise to international prominence in the Twilight franchise.