Quentin Tarantino Calls Paul Dano ‘Weakest Male Actor in SAG‘
Director Quentin Tarantino has ignited controversy with blunt criticism of actor Paul Dano’s performance in the 2007 film There Will Be Blood. Tarantino labeled Dano “weak sauce” and the “weakest male actor in SAG,” asserting his performance detracted from the film’s potential. the remarks, made on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, resurfaced this week, prompting discussion about actor-director dynamics and the impact of casting choices on cinematic masterpieces.
Tarantino’s assessment centers on the dynamic between Dano and his co-star, Daniel Day-Lewis, in There Will Be Blood. He argued the film was intended as a “two-hander” but failed to achieve that balance due to Dano’s performance. “Obviously, it’s supposed to be a two-hander, and it’s also so drastically obvious that it’s not a two-hander,” tarantino said. He believes a stronger performance opposite Day-Lewis would have added ”more stringiness to the beef.” Tarantino further described Dano’s work as a “non-entity,” clarifying he wasn’t criticizing the performance as “terrible” but rather lacking presence.
the director contrasted Day-lewis’ Oscar-winning portrayal of Daniel Plainview, stating the actor “doesn’t need anything” to carry the film. When Ellis suggested Day-Lewis’ performance may have overshadowed Dano, Tarantino responded, “So you put him with the weakest male actor in SAG? The limpest dick in the world?”
Tarantino also expressed general dislike for actors Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, stating, “I don’t care for him. I don’t care for Owen Wilson, I don’t care for Matthew Lillard.”
Representatives for Paul Dano did not respond to requests for comment from The Hollywood Reporter regarding Tarantino’s statements.
There Will Be Blood received eight Academy Award nominations in 2008,winning for Best Actor (Day-Lewis) and Best Cinematography. A 2007 Hollywood reporter review predicted the film’s awards success, praising Day-Lewis’ “powerhouse performance” and calling the film “a certain awards contender.” John DeFore wrote at the time that Day-Lewis “stuns in Paul Thomas Anderson’s saga of a soul-dead oil man.”
