Matt Reeves Stands Up for Paul Dano After Tarantino’s Harsh Critique
Matt Reeves has spoken out in support of Paul Dano after Quentin Tarantino’s recent criticism of the actor’s performance in There Will Be Blood, sparking a wave of support from Hollywood insiders.
Matt Reeves, the filmmaker behind The Batman, has come to Paul Dano’s defense following Quentin Tarantino’s recent negative remarks about Dano’s role in There Will Be Blood. Tarantino, while appearing on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, shared his list of the top 20 films of the 21st century. When discussing his fifth pick, he didn’t hold back his criticism of Dano’s performance in the 2007 drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Hollywood Reacts to Tarantino’s Comments
During the podcast, Tarantino praised the film overall but singled out Dano as its major flaw.
“There Will Be Blood would stand a good chance at being one or two if it didn’t have a big, giant flaw in it … and the flaw is Paul Dano.”
He went on to say,
“He is weak sauce, man. He’s a weak sister. Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. [Dano is] just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest fucking actor in SAG [Screen Actors Guild].”
These comments quickly drew attention and sparked a strong response from many in the industry.
Support for Dano from Colleagues and Friends
Reeves, who directed Dano as the Riddler in The Batman, responded on social media, writing,
“Paul Dano is an incredible actor, and an incredible person.”
Reeves’ support was echoed by the screenwriter of The Batman sequel, who added,
“I am really pleased to see so many people cheer on Paul Dano this week. Not only is he a terrific actor, but he’s an astonishing director who exudes control and tremendous empathy. Check out ‘Wildlife’ if you haven’t seen it.”
The wave of support didn’t stop there. Ben Stiller also weighed in, posting,
“Paul Dano is fucking brilliant.”
Dano Remains Silent Amid the Backlash
Despite the heated debate and the outpouring of support from his peers, Dano has yet to make any public statement regarding Tarantino’s criticism. The conversation continues to unfold as more voices from Hollywood rally behind the actor, highlighting his talent and contributions to the industry.