Quentin Tarantino Shares Blunt Opinions on Owen Wilson and Paul Dano

Quentin Tarantino has never been one to mince his words, and his latest remarks are no exception. During a recent appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, the acclaimed director offered a candid look at his personal tastes, revealing a particular distaste for certain actors—even as he praised the films they starred in.

Unfiltered Views on Owen Wilson

Among the films Tarantino considers the finest of the past two decades is Woody Allen’s 2011 release, Midnight in Paris. Despite ranking it as his tenth favourite film since 2000, Tarantino made it clear that his appreciation for the film does not extend to its leading man.

“I really can’t stand Owen Wilson,”

he admitted, repeating for emphasis,

“I mean, I can’t stand him.”

He went on to describe his experience watching the film for the first time:

“I spent the first time watching the movie loving it and hating him.”

However, his view softened slightly with subsequent viewings.

“The second time I watched the movie, I was like, ‘Ah, okay, don’t be such a prick. He’s not so bad. He’s not so bad.’ And then the third time I watched it, I found myself watching him.”

Wilson has yet to offer any public response to these remarks.

Paul Dano Also in the Firing Line

Wilson is not the only actor to draw Tarantino’s ire. The director also took aim at Paul Dano, who featured in There Will Be Blood, a film Tarantino placed fifth on his list. He did not hold back in his assessment of Dano’s performance, stating,

“There Will Be Blood would stand a good chance at being one or two if it didn’t have a big, giant flaw in it … and the flaw is Paul Dano.”

Tarantino continued,

“Obviously, it’s supposed to be a two-hander, but it’s also drastically obvious that it’s not a two-hander.”

He went further still,

“He is weak sauce, man. He’s a weak sister. Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. [Dano is] just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest fucking actor in SAG [Screen Actors Guild].”

Like Wilson, Dano has not yet commented on Tarantino’s critique.

Tarantino’s Top Picks of the Century

Despite his strong opinions about certain performers, Tarantino’s list of the best films of the 21st century is wide-ranging. His top twenty includes everything from war epics to animated adventures, comedies, and cult classics. The full list is as follows:

1. Black Hawk Down
2. Toy Story 3
3. Lost In Translation
4. Dunkirk
5. There Will Be Blood
6. Zodiac
7. Unstoppable
8. Mad Max: Fury Road
9. Shaun of the Dead
10. Midnight in Paris
11. Battle Royale
12. Big Bad Wolves
13. Jackass: The Movie
14. School Of Rock
15. The Passion Of The Christ
16. The Devil’s Rejects
17. Chocolate
18. Moneyball
19. Cabin Fever
20. West Side Story

While his choices may raise a few eyebrows, Tarantino’s willingness to speak his mind—regardless of how it might be received—remains as sharp as ever.