Clooney Defends Actors After Tarantino's Harsh Podcast Rant

George Clooney has fired back at Quentin Tarantino following the director's brutal takedown of several actors on a recent podcast appearance. The Ocean's Eleven star used his acceptance speech at AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards to defend Paul Dano, Owen Wilson, and Matthew Lillard after Tarantino's harsh words.

Tarantino unleashed his criticism during an appearance on the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast while discussing his favorite films of the century. The Pulp Fiction director took particular aim at Dano's performance in There Will Be Blood, calling him "weak sauce" and "the weakest f****** actor in [the Screen Actors Guild]."

Tarantino's Brutal Assessment

"There Will Be Blood would stand a good chance at being 1 or 2 if it didn't have a big, giant flaw in it... Paul Dano. Obviously, it's supposed to be a two-hander, but it's also drastically obvious that it's not a two-hander. [Dano] is weak sauce, man. He is the weak sister. Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. He's just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest f****** actor in [the Screen Actors Guild]," Tarantino said.

The Kill Bill director didn't stop there. He also dismissed Wilson and Lillard, stating he "doesn't care" for either performer.

Clooney's Public Defense

While accepting his Best Actor award for Netflix's Jay Kelly, the 64-year-old Clooney made his position crystal clear. "By the way, Paul Dano and Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, I would be honored to work with those actors. Honored," he stated.

Clooney then expanded his criticism beyond just defending the actors. "Jay Kelly was made by people who love actors — that's an important part. People I've known most of my life... actually, most of them are actors. I have a great affinity [for them], and I don't enjoy watching people be cruel. We are living in a time of cruelty. We don't need to be adding to it."

Lillard Responds to the Attack

The Scream actor addressed Tarantino's comments during a fan convention appearance in Columbus, Ohio. Lillard acknowledged the sting of the director's words while pointing out the double standard in Hollywood.

"Quentin Tarantino this week said he didn't like me as an actor. Eh, whatever. Who gives a s***. It hurts your feelings. It f****** sucks. And you wouldn't say that to Tom Cruise. You wouldn't say that to somebody who's a top-line actor in Hollywood. I'm very popular in this room. I'm not very popular in Hollywood. Two totally different microcosms, right? And so, you know, it's humbling, and it hurts," Lillard told the crowd.

Tarantino's podcast rant extended beyond individual actors. He also attacked The Hunger Games franchise, accusing author Suzanne Collins of completely stealing from the Japanese novel Battle Royale. "I do not understand how the Japanese writer didn't sue Suzanne Collins for every f****** thing she owns. They just ripped off the f****** book," he claimed.