Quentin Tarantino, the director acclaimed for films like Pulp Fiction, has openly shared his strong admiration for There Will Be Blood, yet his opinion on Paul Dano’s performance stirred controversy. During an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Tarantino revealed that his high regard for the film was tempered by what he considers a crucial shortcoming in the cast, referencing Dano’s portrayal as a major factor in the film’s placement on his personal best-of-the-century list. This comment brought renewed attention to the famously intense oil drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and put the spotlight back on the 2007 film’s supporting cast. The topic of
“Quentin Tarantino on There Will Be Blood”
has drawn renewed interest as the filmmaker’s passionate, candid remarks drew strong reactions from both fans and critics.
A Director’s Bold Opinions on Casting Choices
On the podcast, Tarantino ranked There Will Be Blood as his fifth-favorite film of the 21st century. Despite this praise, he emphasized that the film could have claimed the top spot on his list, had it not been for Dano’s involvement.
“There Will Be Blood would stand a better chance to be in number 1 or number 2 if it didn’t have a big giant flaw in it, and the flaw is Paul Dano,”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker. Tarantino detailed his perspective that Dano was unfairly matched with Daniel Day-Lewis, the Oscar-winning actor who played Daniel Plainview, suggesting that the film failed to become the intended dynamic “two-hander” because the performances were too imbalanced.
“Obviously, it’s supposed to be a two-hander, and it’s also so drastically obvious that it’s not a two-hander.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker.
With Daniel Day-Lewis already established as one of Hollywood‘s most formidable talents, Tarantino argued that his on-screen counterpart needed to match his energy, and in his view, Dano simply couldn’t meet that challenge.
Direct Criticism of Dano’s Screen Presence
Tarantino was pointed in his critique, using blunt language on the podcast as he discussed Dano’s contribution to the acclaimed film.
“He is weak sauce, man. He’s a weak sister,”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker. The director even offered an alternative, noting that he believes another actor could have brought something entirely different to the role.
“Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. [Dano] just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker. Butler, however, was only sixteen years old when the film premiered in 2007, and he would later be cast by Tarantino in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 2019. This sharp assessment uncovers the director’s belief in casting choices being pivotal to a film’s overall impact.
Differing Perspectives on Performance alongside Daniel Day-Lewis
The conversation took an interesting turn when podcast host and author Ellis sought to defend Dano’s work, instead suggesting that Daniel Day-Lewis’s overpowering performance made it difficult for any actor to match him.
“Daniel Day-Lewis also makes it impossible to make it a two-hander because there are aspects of that performance that are so gargantuan,”
— Bret Easton Ellis, Author.
Yet Tarantino doubled down on his statements with even harsher words.
“So you put him with the weakest male actor in SAG?”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker.
“The limpest dick in the world?”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker.
He later clarified, focusing not on hating Dano’s work, but finding it largely uninspiring.
“I’m not saying he’s giving a terrible performance. I’m saying he’s giving a non-entity performance.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker.
Tarantino’s Broader Opinion on Actors
Ellis pressed further, asking if Tarantino had ever enjoyed any of Dano’s roles. Tarantino responded by lumping Dano together with other actors he does not enjoy watching and making his disinterest explicit.
“I don’t care for him, I don’t care for Owen Wilson, and I don’t care for Matthew Lillard.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker.
Tarantino’s forthright comments have often challenged the status quo, underlining his reputation for brutal candor.
Dano’s Career in Spite of Criticism
Despite the director’s negative review, Paul Dano remains widely respected among his peers and continues to work with high-profile filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Steve McQueen, Bong Joon-ho, Denis Villeneuve, Spike Jonze, Kelly Reichardt, Rian Johnson, and Ang Lee. His portfolio includes projects like The Fabelmans, 12 Years a Slave, Okja, Prisoners, Where the Wild Things Are, Meek’s Cutoff, Looper, and Taking Woodstock, solidifying his reputation as a reliable supporting actor in both independent cinema and major studio productions.
Dano has also collaborated with established stars like Tom Cruise in Knight and Day, Harrison Ford in Cowboys and Aliens, Robert De Niro in Being Flynn, Adam Sandler in Spaceman, Steve Carell in Little Miss Sunshine, Robert Pattinson in The Batman, Michael Caine in Youth, and Daniel Radcliffe in Swiss Army Man. These roles showcase his versatility across a range of genres and settings.
Behind the Scenes: How Dano Landed the Role
The circumstances behind Dano’s casting in There Will Be Blood were unconventional. Initially brought on to play only Paul Sunday, Dano was later assigned the dual role of preacher Eli Sunday after actor Kel O’Neill departed the production. This last-minute change meant that Dano had less time than others to develop his major character, making his performance the product of adaptation and quick preparation.
Critical Reception and Awards
Though Tarantino’s opinion is forceful, it is not a consensus. Dano’s work in There Will Be Blood garnered significant acclaim, leading to a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In a year packed with celebrated films and performances, he ultimately lost this honor to Javier Bardem for No Country for Old Men—the same year that the Coen Brothers’ film edged out There Will Be Blood for Best Picture at the Oscars.
The debate sparked by Quentin Tarantino on There Will Be Blood has only highlighted how strong opinions about acting and casting choices can shape the ongoing legacy and critical conversation surrounding landmark films and their place in cinema history. Whether or not industry leaders or film fans agree with Tarantino, his passionate engagement with the art form continues to incite discussion and, sometimes, divide audiences and critics alike.
