Paul Dano Breaks His Silence After Tarantino Called Him the “Weakest Actor in SAG”

Nearly twenty years after the release of “There Will Be Blood,” the film remains a landmark of modern cinema, though it recently became the center of an unexpected Hollywood feud. Actor Paul Dano has finally addressed the biting criticism leveled against him by director Quentin Tarantino.

The controversy began when Tarantino appeared on Bret Easton Ellis’ podcast to discuss the best films of the 21st century. While the director praised the 2007 epic, he claimed Dano was the sole reason it didn’t take the top spot on his list.

Obviously, it’s supposed to be a two-hander. But it’s also drastically obvious that it’s not a two-hander. [Dano] is weak sauce, man. He is the weak sister. [Daniel] is eating him [alive].

Tarantino went even further, suggesting that Austin Butler would have been a better fit for the role of the twin brothers, Paul and Eli Sunday. He famously referred to Dano as the weakest f**** actor in SAG and the limpest d*** in the world.

During a recent 20th anniversary screening of “Little Miss Sunshine” at the Sundance Film Festival, Dano was finally asked to respond. Before he could speak, his co-star Toni Collette jumped to his defense, saying, Are we really going there? F*** that guy! He must’ve been high… it was just confusing. Who does that?

Dano remained more reserved, noting that the overwhelming support he received from the industry and fans meant he didn’t feel the need to strike back. That was really nice, Dano told Variety. I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn’t have to.

Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris also offered their support during the Park City event. Dayton described Tarantino’s public bashing of a colleague as an embarrassment.

Faris suggested that the backlash to the comments proved how much Dano is respected by his peers. You know what was interesting was the people coming out to defend Paul. There was immediately… he is loved by so many. He is so smart, she said.

Dano’s career has only continued to flourish despite the director’s harsh assessment. He recently garnered acclaim for his haunting portrayal of the Riddler in “The Batman” and his Emmy-nominated performance in “Escape at Dannemora.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Dano has several high-profile projects on the horizon. He is currently filming the psychological thriller “Bunker” alongside Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz.

The actor is also set to star in the A24 film “The Chaperones.” This project will see him working with Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson in a story about three friends transporting a troubled teenager across the country.

The 20th anniversary of “Little Miss Sunshine” served as a reminder of Dano’s long-standing impact on independent cinema. The film, which also starred Steve Carell and Abigail Breslin, remains a quintessential example of indie success at the Oscars.

As Dano prepares for his upcoming releases, the industry seems firmly on his side. Even legends like George Clooney and Daniel Day-Lewis have publicly signaled their respect for his talent in the wake of the drama.

Do you think Paul Dano’s performance in “There Will Be Blood” held its own against Daniel Day-Lewis, or was Tarantino right about the casting? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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