And that’s in addition to iconic actor Daniel Day-Lewis stepping up to publicly defend Paul Dano on the record. This follows filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s condemnation of Dano’s performance. Tarantino, known for his outspoken opinions, expressed that he “didn’t care for” Dano during a podcast, labeling him “the weakest fucking actor in SAG.” Dano is set to star alongside Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz in the cast of the upcoming thriller Bunker. This production is directed by Florian Zeller, best known for directing the film adaptation of The Son.
The detraction from Tarantino drew ire from fanboys everywhere, and even from other actors. While on the podcast, he revealed that he has the same feelings about actors Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard. He continued on this line of thinking. He made the case that “There Will Be Blood” should be ranked No. 1 or 2, but for one big problem – Paul Dano.
Daniel Day-Lewis famously starred alongside Dano in the Oscar winning film There Will Be Blood. He went on Instagram to make his feelings known. He stated, “Paul Dano is one of the best and most talented actors of his generation.” Day-Lewis had previously lobbied for Dano for his role in There Will Be Blood. This was following the unexpected withdrawal from the actor portraying the original. His endorsement makes for a startling disagreement between the two most successful veteran filmmaker mentors on the subject of Dano’s potential.
Dillon Freasier, who starred as Day-Lewis’s adopted son in There Will Be Blood, provided an ecstatic response to the picture. He didn’t spare any praise for his talented cast either. “It’s a work of art. And it’s that way because everyone was perfectly cast,” Freasier remarked, reinforcing the notion that Dano’s performance contributed positively to the film’s success.
Dano’s talents as an actor translate beautifully to one of the best directing performances you’ll see this year. His 2018 feature, Wildlife, brought him critical acclaim and established him as one the industry’s best new voices. It is this versatility, along with his expansive talents as an artist that keep him respected in the industry.
If that weren’t enough to draw ire, Tarantino’s comments ventured into actor Austin Butler, claiming that he would have crushed the role that Dano played. Obviously, it’s intended to be a two-hander, but it’s incredibly clear that it’s not a two-hander. My bad, and that [Dano] is whack as shit, dog,” Tarantino said on the podcast.
The split in reaction to Dano’s artistic prowess and meritocratic pursuits highlights a larger discussion surrounding artistic merit in Hollywood. As he prepares for his next role in Bunker, Dano’s supporters, including Day-Lewis, continue to highlight his abilities and contributions to cinema.