Step right up: who will be the brave soul to query Paul Dano about his thoughts on Quentin Tarantino’s critique of his acting skills, following the director’s explosive rant targeting Dano (along with Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard) during a podcast last year. Tarantino labeled Dano as “weak sauce”, particularly criticizing his performance opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood. This sparked a wave of supportive acclaim for Dano from high-profile names like George Clooney, Toni Collette, Ben Stiller, and Day-Lewis himself, not to mention numerous write-ups in this publication.
Moreover, he delivered an exceptional performance as Brian Wilson in Love & Mercy; he was haunting in 12 Years a Slave; and he was memorable in Prisoners – especially in the scene where Hugh Jackman keeps him confined within a wall.
That distinct, understated yet unsettling demeanor has been evident from the beginning. Following a remarkable early role opposite Brian Cox in L.I.E, he rose to prominence with Little Miss Sunshine as Dwayne, a teenager who remains silent until he can fulfill his dream of becoming a fighter pilot. His more recent portrayal of the Riddler in The Batman was notably distinct, moving away from the flamboyant performances of Jim Carrey in Batman Forever and Frank Gorshin in the 60s TV series, presenting a more grounded, makeshift villain.
His directorial debut in 2018 with Wildlife, his role in the offbeat Swiss Army Man alongside Daniel Radcliffe, and his portrayal of Steven Spielberg’s father in The Fabelmans have also earned him considerable admiration.
Dano is now starring in the political thriller The Wizard of the Kremlin, playing a young artist in 1990s Russia who evolves into a powerful government spin doctor at the core of the administration, while a young Vladimir Putin portrayed by Jude Law, is likened by at least one Guardian commentator to a Russian James Bond.
Spin doctors, presidents, jesters, and all in between are encouraged to submit questions for Dano, as he prepares for the upcoming Guardian reader interview. Please send your questions by 6pm GMT on 2 April, and we will publish his responses soon after.
The Wizard of the Kremlin will be showing in UK and Irish cinemas from 17 April
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Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.




