George Clooney defended actors Paul Dano, Owen Wilson, and Matthew Lillard after Quentin Tarantino’s public criticism in December 2025. Speaking at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, Clooney admired their talent, stating he would be “honoured to work with those actors. Honoured.” He emphasized that Hollywood is now “a time of cruelty” and encouraged people not to add to it.