Actor, comedian, and writer Kumail Nanjiani, whose breakout feature film The Big Sick has received rave reviews, has the best response to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association giving him and his film zero Golden Globes nominations. As star and director of the film, he took matters into his own hands, graciously handling Monday morning’s snub with a playful tweet in support of the project.
Nanjiani decided to "prove" that he has the support of one of America’s foremost directors… sort of.
Hey gang. This is Steven Spielberg tweeting from Kumail’s phone. My fave movie this yr was The Big Sick. It’s avail on Amazon Prime & iTunes & all that. Great movie to watch w the fam. I watched it w my family (the Spielbergs) & we all loved it. Handing phone back to Kumail now.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) December 11, 2017
Another director decided to play alone with Nanjiani's joke.
@kumailn Ok this is Kumail tweeting from Rian’s phone- Steven Spielberg stole my phone, he fake-handed it back to m… https://t.co/UOuSQuGI08— Rian Johnson (@Rian Johnson)1513012338.0
But then Nanjiani responded! Or was it Nanjiani?
@rianjohnson Rian! I forgot to return your phone to you! Shoot! Only option we have now is for me to come over to y… https://t.co/RUIGnlq0zZ— Kumail Nanjiani (@Kumail Nanjiani)1513013316.0
We want to see Last Jedi too!
But then Rian got all sweet on us and we can't handle it.
@kumailn Kumail this is Rian tweeting from my own phone not pretending to be anybody telling you The Big Sick is br… https://t.co/EWt4QKxLG8— Rian Johnson (@Rian Johnson)1513028835.0
@rianjohnson Thank you Rian. You are a great person and a wonderful director. I can't wait to see your movie, but m… https://t.co/9v6lvK9tuW— Kumail Nanjiani (@Kumail Nanjiani)1513030193.0
Awww, you guys!
Nanjiani's joke quickly became a Hollywood trending meme.
Hey gang. This is Steven Spielberg tweeting from Rachel’s phone telling all her favorite celebrities that she’s an… https://t.co/sZcRB3eUxA— rachel leishman (@rachel leishman)1513011909.0
It began to spin out of control.
This is Steven Spielberg tweeting from Danielle's phone telling all media companies to pay her any outstanding invo… https://t.co/9mlvsRtA8p— Danielle Sepulveres (@Danielle Sepulveres)1513010692.0
Too much fake news to handle!
Hi, this is Kumail Nanjiani, tweeting from Ryan’s phone while Steven Spielberg has my phone. Just wanna say Harriet… https://t.co/fOA9dm28Ry— Ryan Cecil (@Ryan Cecil)1513008068.0
While others in Hollywood suspected something was fishy about the "Steven Spielberg" endorsement.
@kumailn @DEADLINE MSNBC should fire you for this— Andy Richter (@Andy Richter)1513015419.0
@kumailn @DEADLINE I’m praying Spielberg sends a cease and desist letter. It’s the only thing that would give this… https://t.co/Ib0BfluPGm— Josh Gad (@Josh Gad)1513023184.0
Suspected of less than honorable behavior, Nanjiani double-downed on his version of the truth, and nothing but the truth.
Deadline published a tongue-in-cheek report, doubted the authenticity of that Spielberg tweet. Nanjiani, we mean Spielberg, responded in the best way possible.
Hey @DEADLINE, Steven Spielberg tweeted that! I’ll give the phone back to him.
This is Steven (Spielberg.) I tweeted that. I directed Jaws, ET, BFG. See? I can name 3 of my films. It has to be me. Lincoln. That’s 4. That’s enough proof for you to retract.https://t.co/Ck2BQMgu9j
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) December 11, 2017
Was it Spielberg? Was it Nanjiani? The world may never know.
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h/t: Deadline, Entertainment Weekly, Twitter