Lance Oppenheim Bribed Robert Pattinson With 200 Zyn Canisters to Star in ‘Primetime’

Director Lance Oppenheim says he persuaded Robert Pattinson to take the lead role in *Primetime* by sending 200 canisters of Zyn nicotine pouches to the actor’s Los Angeles home. The story offers an unusual glimpse into how the film came together and how Oppenheim used a personal detail to help secure its star.

Pattinson had initially joined the project as a producer, while screenwriter Ajon Singh and Oppenheim worked on reshaping the Chris Hansen character to attract him as an actor. A shortage of Zyn in the United States prompted Oppenheim to arrange the delivery from Canada, followed by a script and a letter addressed “Dear Chris Han-Zyn”. The film explores the production and ethical questions surrounding *To Catch a Predator*, which ran from 2004 to 2007.