Paul Dano has never been one to stay in a single lane. From indie darlings to blockbuster spectacles, the actor has worked with some of cinema's most visionary directors—Steven Spielberg, Paul Thomas Anderson, and now Olivier Assayas. With Assayas' political thriller The Wizard of the Kremlin hitting theaters, Dano sat down with Collider to reflect on his career, share fresh details about his long-awaited second directorial project, and tease what he knows about Matt Reeves' upcoming The Batman sequel.
A New Direction for Dano's Second Film
Dano made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Wildlife in 2018, and fans have been eager to see what he'll do next. He revealed that he's hoping to start production on his follow-up next year, though he's careful not to jinx it. 'I've got a script, and I really like it. It's really different from my first film,' Dano said. 'I can't wait because I really love, love, love, loved making a movie, and I wish I'd already made another one.'
While he's keeping plot details under wraps, Dano did tease that the project is 'much more of a movie-movie in terms of camera language and genre.' He added, 'I think it could be really fun.' For fans of his nuanced storytelling in Wildlife, this shift promises something fresh and unexpected.
Spielberg's Masterpieces: Dano's Desert Island Picks
Having worked with Spielberg on The Fabelmans, Dano has a deep appreciation for the director's filmography. When pressed to choose a single desert island Spielberg film, he struggled. 'I think Jaws or Close Encounters. Honestly, I might go Close Encounters for me, but it's hard to top Jaws,' he said. He also made a passionate case for Jurassic Park, calling it 'so underrated' and 'a masterpiece.' 'That was one of my favorite movies as a kid—without question, the top theater experience as a kid,' Dano recalled.
Hoping to 'Dance Again' in The Batman Sequel
Dano's chilling portrayal of the Riddler in Matt Reeves' The Batman earned widespread praise. When asked about the sequel, which Reeves is currently filming, Dano was cautiously optimistic. 'I don't know. No, I mean, dude, I agree. Matt is so caring and obsessive in bringing such a point of view to that film, and I think he is going to again. I could not be more excited to see what he does, and I hope maybe I'll get to dance again.'
While he hasn't read the full script, Dano has heard enough to be intrigued. 'I know a very little bit about it, but what I do know, I am excited by, for sure, and I would be surprised if you wouldn't be as well.' Given Reeves' perfectionism, Dano is confident the sequel will be worth the wait.
The Wizard of the Kremlin: A Disturbing Dive into Power
In The Wizard of the Kremlin, based on Giuliano da Empoli's novel, Dano plays Vadim Baranov, a TV filmmaker turned political consultant who becomes Vladimir Putin's right-hand man. The film explores Baranov's complicity in constructing Putin's image of ultimate power. Dano was drawn to the project by Assayas' reputation and the script's dense, intellectual world. 'It was a world I didn't know much about,' he said. 'That sort of thing that a movie can sometimes do—when you get to go behind the curtain and step into a world that you don't know—really turned me on.'
One moment particularly struck Dano: seeing himself play the soft-spoken 'wizard' opposite Jude Law's Putin. He described it as 'shockingly human' and 'disturbing,' highlighting the moral complexity of his character. For more on Dano's career and upcoming projects, check out our Summer TV Preview for exclusive sneak peeks.
