Tarantino Declares Paul Dano “Weakest Male Actor in SAG,” Dimming ‘There Will Be Blood’s’ Legacy
Despite ranking Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 masterpiece There Will Be Blood as his fifth-favorite film of the 21st century, acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino believes a single performance prevents it from reaching its full potential. The pulp Fiction filmmaker contends that Paul Dano’s work in the film is a significant flaw, holding it back from claiming the top spot on his list.
Tarantino shared his blunt assessment on a recent episode of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, stating, “There Will Be Blood would stand a better chance to be in number 1 or number 2 if it didn’t have a big giant flaw in it, and the flaw is paul Dano.” He argued that Dano’s performance couldn’t match the intensity of Daniel Day-Lewis’s Oscar-winning portrayal, disrupting the intended dynamic of the film. “Obviously, its supposed to be a two-hander, and it’s also so drastically obvious that it’s not a two-hander.”
The director didn’t shy away from harsh criticism, describing dano as “weak sauce, man. He’s a weak sister,” and suggesting that another actor could have thrived in the role. He specifically highlighted Austin Butler as a superior choice, noting that Butler “would have been splendid in that role.” This isn’t the first time Tarantino has championed Butler, having previously cast the actor in his 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
When pressed on the disparity in performance levels, Tarantino escalated his critique, questioning, “So you put him with the weakest male actor in SAG? The limpest dick in the world?” He later clarified that his issue wasn’t with Dano’s acting ability itself, but rather with his lack of presence. “I’m not saying he’s giving a terrible performance. I’m saying he’s giving a non-entity performance.”
Tarantino’s dislike appears to extend beyond There Will Be Blood, as he confessed to having no fondness for Dano’s work in general.”I don’t care for him,” he stated, adding Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard to the list of actors he doesn’t admire.
Despite the director’s strong disapproval, Paul Dano has built a remarkably accomplished career, collaborating with a roster of highly respected filmmakers. His filmography includes projects with Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans), Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), Bong Joon-ho (Okja), Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners), and many others.
Dano has also shared the screen with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Tom Cruise (Knight and Day), Harrison Ford (Cowboys and Aliens), and Robert De Niro (Being Flynn).
Interestingly, Dano’s involvement in There Will Be blood was somewhat serendipitous. Initially cast in a minor role that was ultimately cut, he was later tapped to play the pivotal character of Eli Sunday after the original actor departed the production just two weeks into filming.
Despite the controversy surrounding his performance, Dano received critical acclaim for his work in There Will Be Blood, earning a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He ultimately lost to Javier Bardem for his role in No Country for Old Men, the film that also took home the Best Picture Oscar at the 2008 Academy Awards.
