Daniel Day-Lewis signals support for Paul Dano after Quentin Tarantino’s 'weak sauce' jab

Highlights

• A fan account posts scenes from There Will Be Blood praising Paul Dano.
  
• Daniel Day-Lewis clarifies the account is not his but agrees with the sentiment.
  
• Hollywood voices continue to push back against Quentin Tarantino’s remarks.
  

Day-Lewis aligns with praise for Dano

Daniel Day-Lewis indirectly joins the growing defense of Paul Dano after Quentin Tarantino criticizes the There Will Be Blood co-star on a recent podcast. The filmmaker lists his top films of the 21st century on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, placing the Paul Thomas Anderson drama at No. 5 and praising Day-Lewis’ performance and the film’s craftsmanship.

Tarantino then shifts tone, saying the movie ranks lower because of Dano’s performance, calling him “the weakest… actor in SAG” and describing him as “weak sauce.”

The remarks spark immediate pushback across Hollywood.

Fan account post sparks confusion

A fan-run Daniel Day-Lewis Instagram account posts two scenes from There Will Be Blood, highlighting Dano’s work, with the caption: “Paul Dano is one of the best and most talented actors of his generation.”

Initial reports suggest the account belongs to Day-Lewis. His representative later clarifies to The Guardian that the page is not managed by the actor, but adds that Day-Lewis agrees with the sentiment. He originally recommended Dano for the film when the role opened up at short notice.

The account also shares story slides from another creator’s tribute defending Dano’s performances in Prisoners, Little Miss Sunshine, The Batman, 12 Years a Slave, and There Will Be Blood.

Industry figures continue to defend Dano

Writers, directors, and actors, including Simu Liu, The Batman Part II writer Mattson Tomlin, and director Matt Reeves, publicly back Dano. Reeves calls him “an incredible actor and an incredible person.”

It was nevertheless sweet gesture for him to support the sentiment of the Instagram accountInstagram/ Danieldaylewis

Tarantino’s comments also hit other actors, including Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard. Lillard addresses the criticism during an appearance at GalaxyCon in Columbus, saying the remarks “hurt” and made him question his footing in the industry.