Quentin Tarantino Reportedly Disliked Paul Dano So Much He Rewrote ’There Will Be Blood‘ to Expand the Actor’s Role
Los Angeles, CA - A surprising story has emerged regarding the making of Paul Thomas Anderson’s critically acclaimed 2007 film, “There Will Be Blood,” revealing that director Quentin Tarantino reportedly disliked actor Paul Dano to such a degree that he actively intervened in the production to increase Dano’s screen time.Tarantino, who cast Dano as Paul Sunday, ultimately rewrote portions of the script to create a twin brother for the character, allowing Dano to also portray the pivotal role of Eli Sunday.
The unusual casting decision and subsequent script changes have resurfaced as discussions around Tarantino’s directorial choices and actor preferences continue to gain traction. While the reasons behind Tarantino’s initial aversion to Dano remain largely unknown, the impact of his intervention significantly altered the film, giving Dano a more substantial role opposite Daniel Day-Lewis and cementing his place in cinematic history. The story highlights the frequently enough-unseen influence directors can wield over projects, even those not their own, and the sometimes-idiosyncratic nature of casting decisions in Hollywood.
Dano was initially cast in the minor role of Paul, and had only a brief meeting with Anderson before filming commenced. “I remember meeting with Paul on a Thursday, I think it was,” Dano recounted in a 2008 interview with Terry Gross on NPR. “We looked at some scenes and talked about the part a little bit. He said ‘I’d like you to do this part’ and thay had been filming a little bit.”
However, Tarantino’s dissatisfaction prompted a dramatic shift. The director rewrote the film to establish Paul and Eli Sunday as identical twins, effectively doubling Dano’s workload and importance to the narrative. This change gave Dano only a few days to prepare for the demanding role of Eli, a boy preacher engaged in a fierce conflict with Day-Lewis’s oilman character – a role Day-Lewis himself had a year to prepare for.
The motivation behind Tarantino’s decision remains a mystery, drawing comparisons to the cult following surrounding his 1997 film, “Jackie Brown.” Despite the unusual circumstances,Dano’s performance in “There Will Be Blood” garnered widespread critical acclaim,alongside his subsequent work in films like ”Little Miss Sunshine” and “The Fabelmans.” CNN has reached out to Dano’s representatives for comment.
