Daniel Day-Lewis Defends Paul Dano After Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Weak Sauce’ Criticism Sparks Industry Backlash
Hollywood is buzzing after filmmaker Quentin Tarantino ignited a firestorm by calling actor Paul Dano the “giant flaw” in Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed 2007 masterpiece, There Will Be Blood. Tarantino’s comments — delivered on Bret Easton Ellis’s podcast — have triggered waves of backlash from actors, directors, fans, and now, Dano’s co-star and three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis.
Tarantino Calls Dano “Weak Sauce,” Suggests Austin Butler Instead
While discussing his top 20 films of the century, Quentin Tarantino said There Will Be Blood would rank higher than No. 5 “if it didn’t have a big, giant flaw … and the flaw is Paul Dano.”
He went further, calling Dano “weak sauce,” “uninteresting,” and “the weakest actor in SAG,” adding that Austin Butler would have been “wonderful” in the role of Eli Sunday, despite Butler being only 16 at the time of filming.
Quentin Tarantino also took aim at Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, saying he simply doesn’t “care for” them as actors.
Daniel Day-Lewis Responds: “One of the Best Actors of His Generation”
In a rare public rebuke, Daniel Day-Lewis — who personally recommended Paul Dano for the dual role of Eli and Paul Sunday — posted an Instagram statement defending his former co-star.
“Paul Dano is one of the best and most talented actors of his generation,” Day-Lewis wrote, praising the actor he had previously worked with on The Ballad of Jack and Rose.
Industry figures quickly echoed his sentiment.
Ben Stiller: “Dano is fucking brilliant.”
Matt Reeves, director of The Batman: “An incredible actor, and an incredible person.”
Dillon Freasier, Dano’s young co-star: “The film is perfect because everyone was perfectly cast.”
Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 masterpiece ‘There Will Be Blood’
Context: Dano’s Casting Was Last-Minute — And Monumental
Paul Dano originally signed on to play only Paul Sunday. Two weeks into shooting, the actor playing Eli was fired, and Dano — then just 23 years old — was asked to take over both roles opposite Day-Lewis’s titanic performance.
Even Bret Easton Ellis, in the same podcast, noted that Day-Lewis’s overwhelming presence made any two-hander nearly impossible.
More Controversy: Tarantino vs Clooney, Lillard
Quentin Tarantino’s pattern of sharp criticism resurfaced this week. Matthew Lillard admitted that Tarantino’s words “hurt,” adding, “You wouldn’t say that to Tom Cruise.” And resurfaced comments show George Clooney previously firing back after Quentin Tarantino questioned his star power, saying: “That’s my whole fucking career, dude. Fuck off.”
Dano Moves Forward: New Film with Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz
Despite the noise, Paul Dano’s career continues its steady ascent. On Monday, it was confirmed that he will join Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz in Florian Zeller’s thriller Bunker.
If anything, the uproar has only reinforced what Hollywood already knew:
Paul Dano’s talent speaks louder than Tarantino’s take.
