{
  "id": 15807230,
  "title": "Primetime director got Robert Pattinson on board by feeding his Zyn addiction",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/primetime-director-got-robert-pattinson-on-board-by-feeding-his-zyn",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-20T18:05:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The A.V. Club",
    "slug": "the-a-v-club",
    "url": "https://www.avclub.com/primetime-lance-oppenheim-robert-pattinson-bribe-zyn"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent interview with Vulture, Primetime director Lance Oppenheim revealed the unconventional steps he took to secure Robert Pattinson for his role as Chris Hansen in \"To Catch A Predator.\" At the time, Pattinson was only attached as a producer and was struggling with a Zyn addiction. Oppenheim explained that, despite the unavailability of nicotine pouches in the U.S., he managed to secure 200 canisters of Zyn for Pattinson through a friend in Canada, along with a revised script addressed to \"Chris Han-Zyn.\" The director likened Pattinson's eventual commitment to the movie to LeBron James' decision to join the Miami Heat. Production notes from the film recall the same story, highlighting the script revision process and the casting of Pattinson as the lead, sans the bribery detail. Oppenheim, along with screenwriter Ajon Singh and the Icki Eneo Arlo production team, reimagined the screenplay to focus on the relationship dynamic between Hansen and Dan Plum (Skyler Gisondo), also known as Decoy Dan. Pattinson was drawn to Hansen's internal conflict, the blurred lines between his personal and professional life, and his eventual downfall, making him the perfect fit for the role. According to Oppenheim, his determination to cast Pattinson by any means necessary played a significant role in securing the actor. As it turned out, Pattinson's willingness to endure the Zyn supply was all it took to bring him onto the set.",
  "summary": "Primetime director Lance Oppenheim told Vulture that he bribed Robert Pattinson to star in the movie by sending him 200 canisters of Zyn with a note addressed to \"Chris Han-Zyn.\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}