Director Slams Paul Dano’s ‘There Will Be Blood’ Performance
Director Quentin Tarantino unleashed a scathing critique of actor Paul Dano during an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, calling him the “weakest f***ing actor in SAG” and describing his performance in the 2007 film “There Will Be Blood” as “weak sauce.”
Speaking on the podcast episode that aired in early December, Tarantino expressed frustration over Dano’s role opposite Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis. The filmmaker suggested the film would have been “great” without what he called a “big giant flaw” — referring directly to Dano’s portrayal of twin brothers Paul and Eli Sunday, roles that earned the actor a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
“Why did [Daniel Day-Lewis] have to costar with the weakest male actor in SAG?” Tarantino questioned, claiming Dano delivered a “non-entity performance” that paled in comparison to Day-Lewis’s Oscar-winning work.
Tarantino Names Alternatives
Rather than settle for criticism alone, Tarantino suggested actor Austin Butler would have been a superior choice for the role, despite Butler being a teenager when “There Will Be Blood” was filmed.
Tarantino’s critique extended beyond Dano. The “Kill Bill” director also expressed dissatisfaction with performances from actors like Matthew Lillard and Owen Wilson, indicating broader concerns about casting choices and acting quality in contemporary cinema.
Context Behind the Comments
“There Will Be Blood,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, remains a critically acclaimed film that launched both Dano and Day-Lewis into more prominent discussions within awards season. However, Tarantino’s recent comments suggest the acclaimed director views Dano’s contribution as a significant weakness in an otherwise strong production.
