Outline:
George Clooney is responding to hisFrom Dusk Till Dawnco-star Quentin Tarantino after the director unexpectedly began a rant directed at actors Paul Dano, Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard.
At the AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards on Saturday, Clooney expressed that he would be “honoured” to collaborate with the group.
Clooney mentioned his newest film, Jay Kelly, was “created by individuals who have a passion for actors.”
“That’s a significant aspect. Individuals I’ve known throughout most of my life… actually, the majority of them are actors. I have a strong connection (with them), and I don’t like seeing people act harshly,” theER alum said, according to Variety .
We are experiencing a period marked by harshness,” Clooney added. “We shouldn’t contribute to it.
Previously, Tarantino hasn’t hesitated to express his straightforward opinions about some of the most prominent actors in the industry. In 2023, he criticized Clooney during an interview withDeadline .
“When did he last achieve a success in this century?” Tarantino questioned.
“Quentin said some stuff about me recently, so I’m a bit annoyed by him,” Clooney said when he responded to the comments in 2024.GQprofile. “He did an interview where he was listing movie stars… and then he actually said something like, ‘Name me a movie since the millennium.’ And I thought, ‘Since the millennium? That’s pretty much my entire f***ing career.'”
What did Tarantino mention regarding Dano, Wilson, and Lillard?
Tarantino became the subject of online discussion last month after he criticized Dano for his performance alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in the 2007 film.There Will Be Blood .
As the Academy Award recipient listed his 20 favorite films from the 21st century during a segment onThe Bret Easton Ellis Podcast , Tarantino said that There Will Be Blood, which he placed fifth, would have been higher “if it didn’t have a major, significant issue in it … and the issue is Paul Dano.”
Tarantino said Elvisstar Austin Butler, who was 16 years old at the timeThere Will Be Bloodwas launched, “would have been amazing in that position,” while proceeding to criticize Dano.
“He’s a wimp, buddy. He’s the weak link,” thePulp FictionThe director remarked, “He’s simply a very weak, unremarkable person.”
Tarantino then mentioned two additional actors he doesn’t care for: Wilson and Lillard.
After naming Wilson’s 2011 filmMidnight in Parisas his 10th favorite film, Tarantino expressed his strong aversion to theStick star.
Strangely enough, I really can’t tolerate Owen Wilson. I mean, I truly can’t stand him,” Tarantino mentioned. “The first time I watched the film, I loved it but hated him,” he added. “The second time I saw the movie, I thought ‘Okay, don’t be such a jerk. He’s not that bad. He’s not that bad.’ Then the third time I watched it, I found myself watching him.
Tarantino didn’t elaborate on why he found Lillard so unappealing to watch that he listed him as one of Hollywood’s least compelling actors, but theFive Nights at Freddy’s The performer discussed his participation during a December event at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio.
“Quentin Tarantino mentioned he wasn’t a fan of me as an actor,” Lillard said while addressing the audience in avideo from the event , per Entertainment Weekly. As the audience expressed disapproval, Lillard remarked, “Whatever. Who cares.”
Nevertheless, Lillard acknowledged that Tarantino’s harsh public critique had an impact.
It hurts your feelings. It’s really terrible,” he said. “And you wouldn’t say that to Tom Cruise. You wouldn’t say that to someone who is a leading actor in Hollywood.
On social media, Lillard’s supporters were “very angry” as they quickly came to his defense.
Who supported Dano and Wilson?
After Tarantino’s outburst, many major Hollywood figures quickly came forward to support Dano’s performances on screen.
(I’m not sure) guy, I believe Paul Dano is a remarkable performer,Kim’s Convenience actor Simu Liu tweeted .
Matt Reeves, who directed Dano in the role of the Riddler in 2022’sThe Batman , also expressed an opinion on X, writing, “Paul Dano is a remarkable actor, and a truly exceptional individual.”
Ben Stiller, who collaborated with the Golden Globe nominee on the 2018 mini-seriesEscape at Dannemora, referred to the actor as “f***ing brilliant .”
The Batman Part IICollaborator Mattson Tomlin expressed that he was “happy to see so many individuals support Paul Dano.”
No prominent figures expressed their support for Wilson, but he had his supporters active on social media.
“Whether you like him or not, Owen Wilson is smooth on screen,” one fan wrote, while another praised theZoolanderstar among Hollywood’s most “underappreciated” actors.
mdaniell@postmedia.com