Matt Reeves Stands up for Paul Dano Following Criticism from Quentin Tarantino

Which top director considers Paul Dano exceptional? Not Quentin Tarantino, but certainly several others do. Among them is Matt Reeves, who collaborated with Dano on the 2022 blockbuster The Batman.

Paul Dano is a remarkable actor and an equally remarkable individual, Reeves shared on X this Thursday. His statement followed a viral podcast where Tarantino criticized Danos performance in There Will Be Blood, a film starring Daniel Day-Lewis that earned an Academy Award.

On The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Tarantino listed his top films of the 21st century and ranked the 2007 Paul Thomas Anderson feature fifth. He remarked that the film could easily be first or second if not for a major flaw.

The flaw is Paul Dano, Tarantino stated. Its meant to be a two-person story, but thats very clearly not the case. He is weak sauce, a weak sister.

Dano, known for his role as Edward Nashton/The Riddler in The Batman, has delivered performances for acclaimed directors including Steven Spielberg and Denis Villeneuve.

Im not saying his performance is terrible, Tarantino continued regarding Dano in There Will Be Blood. Im saying it lacks presence. Hes not someone I favor, and the same goes for Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard.

Meanwhile, Reeves is preparing to shoot The Batman Part II, which will feature Scarlett Johansson in an undisclosed role.

Author: Harper Simmons