‘We are living in a time of cruelty … We don\u2019t need to be adding to it’<\/p>\n
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Published Jan 14, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 6\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n George Clooney is firing back at his From Dusk Till Dawn co-star Quentin Tarantino after the filmmaker inexplicably launched into a tirade aimed at actors Paul Dano, Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Speaking at the AARP\u2019s Movies for Grownups Awards on Saturday, Clooney said he would be \u201chonoured\u201d to work with the trio.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Clooney said his latest movie, Jay Kelly, was \u201cmade by people who love actors.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an important part. People I\u2019ve known most of my life\u2026 actually, most of them are actors. I have a great affinity (for them), and I don\u2019t enjoy watching people be cruel,\u201d the ER alum said, according to Variety<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are living in a time of cruelty,\u201d Clooney continued. \u201cWe don\u2019t need to be adding to it.\u201d<\/p>\n In the past, Tarantino hasn\u2019t been shy in sharing his blunt assessment of some of the biggest actors in the industry. In 2023, he slammed Clooney in an interview with Deadline<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen was the last time that he had a hit in this millennium?\u201d Tarantino asked.<\/p>\n \u201cQuentin said some s*** about me recently, so I\u2019m a little irritated by him,\u201d Clooney replied when he addressed the comments in a 2024 GQ<\/a> profile. \u201cHe did some interview where he was naming movie stars \u2026 and then he literally said something like, \u2018Name me a movie since the millennium.\u2019 And I was like, \u2018Since the millennium? That\u2019s kind of my whole f***ing career.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n What did Tarantino say about Dano, Wilson and Lillard?<\/p>\n Tarantino went viral last month when he dismissed Dano for his work opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in 2007\u2019s There Will Be Blood.<\/p>\n As the Oscar winner rhymed off his 20 favourite movies of the 21st century during an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast<\/a>, Tarantino said that There Will Be Blood, which he ranked fifth, would have been higher \u201cif it didn\u2019t have a big, giant flaw in it \u2026 and the flaw is Paul Dano.\u201d<\/p>\n Tarantino said Elvis star Austin Butler, who was 16 years old when There Will Be Blood was released, \u201cwould have been wonderful in that role,\u201d before continuing to lambaste Dano.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is weak sauce, man. He is the weak sister,\u201d the Pulp Fiction director said. \u201cHe\u2019s just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy.\u201d<\/p>\n Tarantino then listed two other actors he\u2019s not fond of: Wilson and Lillard.<\/p>\n After naming Wilson\u2019s 2011 flick Midnight in Paris as his 10th favourite movie, Tarantino declared his deep dislike for the Stick star.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cOddly enough, I really can\u2019t stand Owen Wilson. I mean, I can\u2019t stand him,\u201d Tarantino said. \u201cI spent the first time watching the movie loving it and hating him,\u201d he continued. \u201cThe second time I watched the movie, I was like \u2018OK, don\u2019t be such a prick. He\u2019s not so bad. He\u2019s not so bad.\u2019 And then the third time I watched it I found myself watching him.\u201d<\/p>\n Tarantino didn\u2019t expand on why he disliked Lillard enough to name him as one of Hollywood\u2019s least watchable actors, but the Five Nights at Freddy\u2019s actor addressed his inclusion during a December appearance at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio.<\/p>\n \u201cQuentin Tarantino said he didn\u2019t like me as an actor,\u201d Lillard said as he spoke to the crowd in a video from the event<\/a>, per Entertainment Weekly<\/a>. As attendees booed, Lillard continued, \u201cWhatever. Who gives a s***.\u201d<\/p>\n However, Lillard admitted that Tarantino\u2019s bruising public assessment did leave a mark.<\/p>\n \u201cIt hurts your feelings. It f***ing sucks,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd you wouldn\u2019t say that to Tom Cruise. You wouldn\u2019t say that to somebody who\u2019s a top-line actor in Hollywood.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n On social media, Lillard\u2019s backers were \u201chella angry\u201d as they leapt to his defence.<\/p>\n Who stood up for Dano and Wilson?<\/p>\n Following Tarantino\u2019s rant, several big Hollywood names rushed to back Dano\u2019s work in front of the camera.<\/p>\n \u201c(I don\u2019t know) man I think Paul Dano is an incredible actor,\u201d Kim\u2019s Convenience actor Simu Liu tweeted<\/a>.<\/p>\n Matt Reeves, who directed Dano as the Riddler in 2022\u2019s The Batman, also weighed in on X<\/a>, writing, \u201cPaul Dano is an incredible actor, and an incredible person.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben Stiller, who worked with the Golden Globe nominee on the 2018 miniseries Escape at Dannemora, called the actor \u201cf***ing brilliant<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n The Batman Part II co-writer Mattson Tomlin said he was \u201cpleased to see so many people cheer on Paul Dano.\u201d<\/p>\n No notable names voiced their support for Wilson, but on he had his backers on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cLike him or not, Owen Wilson is smooth on screen,\u201d one fan wrote, with another hailing the Zoolander star as one of Hollywood\u2019s most \u201cunderrated\u201d actors.<\/p>\n mdaniell@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Matthew Lillard fires back at Quentin Tarantino’s career diss: ‘It hurts’<\/p>\n <\/a> Paul Dano’s celeb pals defend actor after Quentin Tarantino diss<\/p>\n![\"George](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2255262501_300706526.jpg\")
George Clooney attends the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 11, 2026. Photo by VALERIE MACON \/AFP via Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.3.0\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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