Quentin Tarantino Expresses Strong Dislike for Paul Dano

Quentin Tarantino recently expressed strong dislike for actor Paul Dano during an episode of “The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.” In a surprising critique, he referred to Dano’s performance in the acclaimed film “There Will Be Blood” as a significant flaw.

Tarentino’s Critique of Dano

Tarantino revealed that he ranks “There Will Be Blood,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson in 2007, as his fifth-favorite film of the 21st century. He stated that it would rank even higher if it weren’t for Dano’s portrayal of the twin characters, Eli and Paul Sunday.

Quotes from Tarantino

• “He is weak sauce, man,” Tarantino declared about Dano.
• Tarantino suggested that actor Austin Butler would have been a better fit for the role.
• He described Dano as “a weak, weak, uninteresting guy.”

Dano’s Performance in “There Will Be Blood”

Dano’s role involved playing both Eli and Paul, which was a decision made by Anderson, who rewrote the film to accommodate Dano’s casting. The character of Paul was initially a minor role, yet Anderson gave Dano the opportunity to portray the significant character, Eli.

In a past interview, Dano explained that he had limited time to prepare for the role of Eli, having only a few days to get ready for the intense portrayal of a preacher at odds with the oilman played by Day-Lewis. This contrasts sharply with Day-Lewis, who had an entire year for preparation.

Other Roles and Accolades

Despite Tarantino’s critique, Paul Dano has received critical acclaim for his performances not only in “There Will Be Blood” but also in other notable films such as “Little Miss Sunshine” and “The Fabelmans.” Tarantino’s comments have sparked discussions about the casting decisions in Anderson’s film.

El-Balad has reached out to Dano’s representatives for their response to Tarantino’s remarks.