The Batman’s Matt Reeves Defends Paul Dano From Tarantino’s Criticism With A Sweet Response

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Quentin Tarantino’s films are incredibly popular and widely praised. The Oscar-winning director is also known for his blunt opinions, and recently he sharply criticized actor Paul Dano, calling him a weak performer. Many people have come to Dano’s defense, including Matt Reeves, the director of The Batman, who shared a very supportive message.

Paul Dano gave a memorably unsettling performance as the Riddler in The Batman, which you can watch with a subscription to HBO Max. Director Matt Reeves, having worked with Dano on that DC film, is familiar with his abilities and recently defended him on Twitter, stating:

Paul Dano is an incredible actor, and an incredible person.

So, despite Quentin Tarantino’s negative comments about Paul Dano’s acting in There Will Be Blood (available on Paramount+), Keanu Reeves has spoken highly of Dano, both as an actor and as a person. Reeves isn’t alone – many others have defended the 41-year-old actor after Tarantino’s harsh criticism gained widespread attention online.

Mattson Tomlin, a writer on The Batman, also publicly supported Dano, suggesting the film’s team was very pleased with his performance as the Riddler. Dano is a consistently working actor with a strong track record, having delivered acclaimed performances in films like The Fabelmans, 12 Years a Slave, and Little Miss Sunshine. His continued success speaks to his talent.

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What did Quentin Tarantino actually say about Paul Dano? During an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, the Kill Bill director stated that Dano negatively impacted the film There Will Be Blood, explaining:

While There Will Be Blood is a strong film, it’s held back by a significant weakness: Paul Dano’s performance. Although the movie aims for a dynamic between two lead actors, Dano doesn’t quite measure up, and the balance feels off. Austin Butler would have been a much better fit for the role; Dano’s performance simply lacks the strength and charisma needed.

It stung when the famous director didn’t just say he didn’t like Dano’s acting – he called him the worst actor in the Screen Actors Guild. The strong language he used quickly spread the comment online, and now people are rushing to support Dano and defend his skills.

With The Batman Part II now scheduled for release in October 2027, fans are eager to know if Paul Dano will reprise his role as the Riddler. Because the film isn’t slated for release in 2026, it will be a long wait. However, many believe director Matt Reeves would prefer to move in a different direction with the character.

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2025-12-05 17:38