Paul Dano has publicly responded to director Quentin Tarantino's recent comments labeling him the "weakest actor" in the Screen Actors Guild. Dano, asked about the insult at a Sundance Film Festival event, expressed gratitude that the public and his colleagues defended him so strongly.
The controversy stems from Tarantino's appearance on a podcast last month, where he criticized Dano's performance in 'There Will Be Blood,' calling him "weak sauce" and suggesting other actors would have been better. The director also made disparaging remarks about actors Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard.
Tarantino's comments sparked immediate backlash. Many in Hollywood, including directors Matt Reeves and Mattson Tomlin, and actors like Simu Liu, Ben Stiller, and George Clooney, have publicly praised Dano's talent and character. Clooney, while accepting an award, specifically defended Dano, Wilson, and Lillard, stating, "We're living in a time of cruelty; we don't need to be adding to it."