“F**k that guy!”: Paul Dano’s co-star Toni Collette slams Quentin Tarantino as actor breaks silence on “weakest male actor” jab

Paul Dano has finally reacted to the swipe Quentin Tarantino made about his acting abilities. The famous director appeared on an episode of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast in December 2025 and described Dano as a "flaw" in 2007's Oscar-winning movie There Will Be Blood.

As per a report shared by E News, Tarantino said there was a part of the oil-mining film he just didn't like. He called out Dano for his performance.

"There Will Be Blood would stand a good chance at being no. 1 or no. 2 if it didn't have a big, giant flaw in it … and the flaw is Paul Dano," Tarantino said.

Dano had screen time opposite Daniel Day-Lewis' oil tycoon as twins Paul and Eli Sunday. Tarantino continued his criticism.

"Obviously, it's supposed to be a two-hander, but it's also drastically obvious that it's not a two-hander. He is weak sauce, man. He is the weak sister. He's just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest f**king actor in SAG," Tarantino asserted.

As per a report shared by Variety, Paul Dano was asked about Tarantino's comment ahead of a 20th anniversary screening of Little Miss Sunshine at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Co-star Toni Collette answered before Paul Dano could speak.

"Are we really going there? F*ck that guy! He must've been high… it was just confusing. Who does that?" Collette said.

Paul Dano thanked the world for defending him as he stayed silent on Quentin Tarantino's criticism

Paul Dano stayed quiet about Tarantino's diss. He told Variety that all of the tributes to his work that came in across social media spoke for themselves.

"That was really nice. I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn't have to," said Dano.

Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris also shared their opinions on the Tarantino controversy. The Little Miss Sunshine directors defended Dano's work. Dayton called Tarantino's remarks an "embarrassment."

"I can only think that his rawness of his performance made Tarantino uncomfortable. He couldn't be easily filed," added Dayton.

Faris talked about the immediate response from people defending Paul Dano.

"You know what was interesting was the people coming out to defend Paul. There was immediately… he is loved by so many. He is so smart," Faris noted.

Tarantino took shots at two other performers as well. He said he didn't care for Owen Wilson or Matthew Lillard either as actors. Lillard responded to the diss at December's GalaxyCon. He explained how it affected him.

"It hurts your feelings. It f**king sucks. And you wouldn't say that to Tom Cruise. You wouldn't say that to somebody who's a top-line actor in Hollywood," Lillard said.

Tarantino's candidness instantly backfired. Industry members and fans poured out support for Dano and his talents. George Clooney also knocked Tarantino for the comments.

George Clooney defended the actors Quentin Tarantino criticized

George Clooney made it known where he stands about the whole Paul Dano situation. As per a report shared by Variety on January 11, 2026, Clooney defended the actors while accepting his best actor award for Jay Kelly at AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards.

"By the way, Paul Dano and Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, I would be honored to work with those actors. Honored," Clooney said.

He talked about Jay Kelly and the people who made the film.

"Made by people who love actors — that's an important part. People I've known most of my life… actually, most of them are actors. I have a great affinity [for them], and I don't enjoy watching people be cruel," Clooney shared.

The star continued with a broader message.

"We are living in a time of cruelty. We don't need to be adding to it," said Clooney.

Tarantino also took a shot at Clooney back in 2024. He claimed the Oscar-winning actor wasn't a movie star. The two had worked together in the 1996 Robert Rodriguez film From Dusk Till Dawn.

Clooney told GQ he was irritated by Tarantino's recent comments.

"Quentin said some shit about me recently, so I'm a little irritated by him. He did some interview where he was naming movie stars, and he was talking about [Brad], and somebody else, and then this guy goes, 'Well, what about George?' He goes, he's not a movie star," Clooney said.

As per a report shared by E News, back in 2008 Daniel Day-Lewis spoke with the BBC and shared only good things about his co-star, Paul Dano.

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"I certainly knew enough about Paul and I hope he'd say the same, to know that he'd be somebody I'd know I wanted on my side in a scrap, I like him so much as a man—which always helps—but as an actor I think he's undoubtedly one of the most promising young actors working at the moment."

What did you make of the whole situation? Sound off in the comments section below.

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