Box office magnet Robert Pattinson appears in pedophile thriller

British star Robert Pattinson will look to extend his stellar 2026 box office run by playing a pedophile-hunting TV presenter in upcoming film “Primetime”, which premieres at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday.

Pattinson will hit screens in the dark thriller later this month, the first movie for which he has a producer credit and a first feature film from 30-year-old director Lance Oppenheim.

“I was just extremely attached to this project from the beginning and attached to everybody involved in it,” the 40-year-old told reporters in Venice on Saturday along with the cast, which includes American singer Phoebe Bridgers.

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“Primetime” is based on the scandal-plagued NBC reality TV show “To Catch a Predator” which saw presenter Chris Hansen lure pedophiles to fake meetings with children from 2004-2007, then unmask them in front of the TV cameras.

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Having seen a trailer for the movie, Hansen has praised Pattinson’s eerie portrayal of him while also hinting at possible legal action over what looks like a largely unflattering portrait.

“Obviously he has practiced imitating me, and while I think it’s overly dramatic, I think there is a pretty good imitation there in the trailer,” Hansen told US chat show Entertainment Tonight late last month.

Pattinson said the role had been challenging, with the shoot squeezed in before he started filming on summer box office hit “The Odyssey” by Christopher Nolan.

“I found the accent really difficult,” he explained, before quipping: “I definitely can hear a little Chris Hansen in The Odyssey when I watch it.”

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Producing work

The 40-year-old has become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, with his films this year including hit “The Drama” with Zendaya, as well as “The Odyssey” in which he plays the villainous Antinous.

He will appear in the third part of “Dune” in December.

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As co-producer, Pattinson has invested in the production of “Primetime” through his own company Icki Eneo Arlo, giving him greater control and potential financial rewards.

“He wasn’t just my leading man. He was a like tried and true collaborator, and we forged this thing together,” Oppenheim told AFP in Venice, explaining that Pattinson had taken part in casting, production and editing.

American indie folk singer Bridgers — a friend of Oppenheim’s — is one of the most surprising casting choices, with the “Scott Street” performer playing a cameo as Hansen’s wife.

“She’s was just so relaxed and I was just so impressed, she completely got the tone,” Pattinson said.

“When Lance asked me, I was like ‘No way dude, I can’t,” Bridgers said.

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The film, made with independent US studio A24, is one of the most anticipated in the main Venice festival competition this year.