Hollywood has recently been embroiled in a fierce debate over acting skills, sparked by director Quentin Tarantino's public criticism of actor Paul Dano as "the worst actor in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG)" during a discussion of the classic film "There Will Be Blood," which triggered a strong backlash from the film industry and netizens.
Tarantino said on Tuesday (December 2nd) that *Black Gold* could have been in his top two picks for the best films of the 21st century. "The problem is Paul Dino," he said. "He's too weak. This film is supposed to be a two-lead film, but he just can't carry it. How can you put a god-like actor like Daniel Day-Lewis opposite a 'weak and tasteless' person?"
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His subsequent remarks were even more vehement: "You put in the worst actor in SAG? The most lackluster performance in the world? He didn't just act badly, he acted meaninglessly."
In response to these remarks, many creators and fans in the industry have come forward to defend Dino. Simu Liu, the Chinese-American actor who plays Shang-Chi in Marvel movies, said on the social media platform X, "I don't know what he's thinking, but I think Paul Dino is a very good actor."
In addition, Mattson Tomlin, screenwriter of the blockbuster DC film "Batman," also posted a message in support of Dino, saying, "It's great to see so many people supporting Paul. He's not only an outstanding actor, but also a very empathetic and controlled director. Anyone who hasn't seen 'Wildlife,' his directorial debut, should definitely check it out."
Dino, who played Riddler in Matt Reeves' Batman film, is still in suspense regarding his potential role in the sequel, The Batman Part II. Meanwhile, Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks with the production team for a major role, potentially co-starring with Robert Pattinson.
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It is understood that "Black Gold Enterprises" is the most representative masterpiece of the "Grand Slam" director Paul Thomas Anderson. Dillon Freasier, the child star who played the adopted son of the protagonist in the film, also recently gave a media interview, clearly expressing his support for Dino and saying that the film "is a perfect work of art, and every actor was just right."
Paul Dino first gained attention for his role as the taciturn older brother in *Little Miss Sunshine*, and later rose to fame for his role as the priest in *Black Gold*. His other notable works include *Swiss Army Man*, *Prisoners*, and *Nocturnal Animals*.
