Hollywood star George Clooney has publicly rebuked filmmaker Quentin Tarantino for what he deems "cruel" and unwarranted criticism directed at fellow actors Paul Dano, Owen Wilson, and Matthew Lillard. The clash highlights a growing tension between the two industry heavyweights and sparks a conversation about respect within the entertainment community.
Clooney's Stance Against 'A Time of Cruelty'
The incident unfolded at the AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards on Saturday, January 14, 2026. While accepting an award, Clooney used his platform to address Tarantino's recent comments. He expressed his admiration for the targeted actors, stating he would be "honoured" to work with them.
Clooney emphasized that his latest film, Jay Kelly, was "made by people who love actors," drawing a clear distinction with Tarantino's approach. "I don’t enjoy watching people be cruel," Clooney stated, according to reports. He framed his criticism within a broader societal context, asserting, "We are living in a time of cruelty. We don’t need to be adding to it."
The Spark: Tarantino's Blunt Podcast Assessment
The controversy stems from Tarantino's appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast in December 2025. While listing his favourite 21st-century films, the director launched into unexpected critiques of specific performers.
Regarding Paul Dano's acclaimed performance in There Will Be Blood (2007), Tarantino called the actor the film's "big, giant flaw." He suggested a young Austin Butler would have been better and dismissed Dano as "weak sauce" and "the weak sister."
Tarantino then named Owen Wilson, despite including Wilson's film Midnight in Paris in his top ten. "I really can’t stand Owen Wilson," he admitted, though he conceded his view softened slightly upon re-watching the movie. The director also singled out Matthew Lillard as one of Hollywood's "least watchable" actors, without providing detailed reasoning.
Hollywood Rallies and Personal Reactions
The fallout from Tarantino's comments was swift and vocal. Several prominent figures came to Paul Dano's defence:
- Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) tweeted, "I think Paul Dano is an incredible actor."
- Matt Reeves, who directed Dano in The Batman, praised him as "an incredible actor, and an incredible person."
- Ben Stiller, a collaborator on Escape at Dannemora, called Dano "f***ing brilliant."
Matthew Lillard addressed the diss directly during a December appearance at GalaxyCon. "Quentin Tarantino said he didn’t like me as an actor," Lillard told the crowd. "Whatever. Who gives a s***." However, he later acknowledged the personal sting, saying, "It hurts your feelings. It f***ing sucks." He pointed out the perceived double standard, noting Tarantino likely wouldn't say such things about a top-tier star like Tom Cruise.
While no major celebrities publicly defended Owen Wilson, fans on social media praised his unique screen presence and called him underrated.
A History of Tension Between Icons
This is not the first public friction between Clooney and Tarantino, who co-starred in 1996's From Dusk Till Dawn. In a 2023 interview, Tarantino questioned Clooney's box office relevance, asking, "When was the last time that he had a hit in this millennium?"
Clooney addressed that jab in a 2024 GQ profile, expressing irritation. "He did some interview where he was naming movie stars... and then he literally said something like, 'Name me a movie since the millennium.' And I was like, 'Since the millennium? That’s kind of my whole f***ing career,'" Clooney recounted.
The current dispute transcends a simple personal feud. It touches on professional decorum, the power dynamics of public criticism, and the climate of discourse both inside and outside Hollywood. Clooney's framing of the issue as contributing to a broader "time of cruelty" elevates it beyond industry gossip to a commentary on contemporary culture.
