Paul Dano is lastly addressing the controversy that erupted after Quentin Tarantino publicly criticized his efficiency in “There Will Be Blood.”
Whereas the feedback sparked weeks of debate, trade backlash, and vocal help for the actor, Dano selected to remain silent till now.
Talking forward of a milestone “Little Miss Sunshine” occasion, the actor defined why he by no means felt the necessity to fireplace again, crediting the overwhelming response from followers and friends who defended his work with out being requested.
Paul Dano Breaks His Silence On Quentin Tarantino’s Harsh Criticism
Paul Dano has spoken publicly for the primary time after Tarantino took goal at his efficiency in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 basic “There Will Be Blood.”
Tarantino went additional than criticism, calling Dano the weakest actor in SAG, regardless of Dano being an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Impartial Spirit Award nominee.
The topic resurfaced as Dano attended the Sundance Movie Pageant forward of a twentieth anniversary screening of “Little Miss Sunshine.”
When requested about Tarantino’s remarks, the 41-year-old defined that he by no means felt compelled to reply.
“That was very nice,” Dano instructed Selection, referring to the wave of help he acquired. “I used to be additionally extremely grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn’t need to.”
Dano’s Co-Stars And Administrators Rush To His Protection
Earlier than Paul Dano may even reply questions at Sundance, his “Little Miss Sunshine” co-star Toni Collette jumped in forcefully.
“Are we actually going there? F-ck that man! He should’ve been excessive. It was simply complicated. Who does that?” she mentioned, shutting down the subject on the spot.
Administrators Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris additionally weighed in on the controversy.
Dayton described Tarantino’s feedback as an “embarrassment,” suggesting Dano’s efficiency itself could have been the problem.
“I can solely assume that his rawness of his efficiency made Tarantino uncomfortable. He couldn’t be simply filed,” Dayton mentioned.
Faris echoed the sentiment, noting the pace and quantity of help. “You already know what was attention-grabbing was the folks popping out to defend Paul. There was instantly… he’s liked by so many. He’s so good.”
Paul Dano Turns into The Heart Of Quentin Tarantino’s Podcast Firestorm
As The Blast reported, Tarantino’s remarks got here practically two months in the past throughout an look on “The Brett Easton Ellis” podcast, the place he ranked his favourite movies of the twenty first century.
Whereas praising “There Will Be Blood,” the filmmaker mentioned Dano’s efficiency pushed the movie all the way down to fifth place on his checklist.
“Clearly, it’s speculated to be a two-hander. But it surely’s additionally drastically apparent that it’s not a two-hander,” Tarantino mentioned, arguing that Daniel Day-Lewis overwhelmed Dano onscreen.
“[Dano] is weak sauce, man. He’s the weak sister. [Daniel] is consuming him [alive],” the actor shared.
Tarantino went on to counsel Austin Butler would have been fantastic within the function, earlier than escalating to insults that included “the weakest f-cking actor in SAG” and “the limpest d-ck on the earth.”
Tarantino additionally dismissed Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard as actors. Lillard later addressed the jab at GalaxyCon, saying, “it hurts your emotions. It f-cking sucks.”
Dano Receives Huge Trade And Fan Assist
idk man i feel paul dano is an unimaginable actor
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) December 4, 2025
The backlash in opposition to Tarantino was instant. Actors, administrators, and followers flooded social media with reward for Paul Dano.
George Clooney added his voice whereas accepting an award from AARP, saying he could be honored to work with Dano and the opposite actors Tarantino criticized.
Ben Stiller posted on X, “Paul Dano is f-cking good.” Simu Liu additionally weighed in on the state of affairs, writing, “I don’t know man I feel paul dano is an unimaginable actor.”
“The Batman” director Matt Reeves echoed that sentiment, calling Dano an unimaginable actor and particular person.
DC screenwriter Mattson Tomlin went additional, highlighting the Hollywood star’s work behind the digital camera.
“Not solely is he a terrific actor, however he’s an astonishing director who exudes management and super empathy,” he wrote, urging followers to look at Dano’s movie “Wildlife.”
Paul Dano Strikes Ahead As Profession Momentum Continues
Regardless of the controversy, Dano stays firmly booked and busy. He’s set to star within the upcoming American crime drama “The Chaperones.”
The film shall be launched by A24, though an official launch date stays unknown. The movie follows three associates tasked with transporting a troubled teenager throughout the nation shortly after Christmas.
In “The Chaperones,” Dano has joined the star-studded ensemble of “Bunker,” an elevated psychological thriller from Oscar-winning filmmaker Florian Zeller.
“Bunker” follows the sluggish breakdown of a household whose lives are thrown into turmoil by a secretive building undertaking, an underground bunker ordered by an influential tech billionaire.
Because the undertaking expands, its presence begins to seep into each nook of their lives, setting the stage for a tense story that’s already being positioned as one in all 2026’s most anticipated movies.
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