Big Sick star's great reaction after Golden Globes snub

  • Published
Kumail Nanjiani and Steven SpielbergImage source, Getty Images/Reuters
Image caption,
It is not certain if Spielberg (right) is aware of or had any input into Nanjiani's tweets

How did the star and co-writer of hit comedy The Big Sick react to being denied a Golden Globe nomination? By pretending to be Steven Spielberg.

After the announcement of this year's nominations, Kumail Nanjiani tweeted what was purported to be an endorsement of his film by the celebrated director.

Claiming he was "tweeting from Kumail's phone", 'Spielberg' called The Big Sick "my fave movie this yr".

The suspect tweet continued by calling it a "great movie to watch w the fam".

"I watched it w[ith] my family (the Spielbergs) & we all loved it," the tweet concluded. "Handing phone back to Kumail now."

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Kumail Nanjiani

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Kumail Nanjiani

After the Deadline website questioned the veracity of the tweet in an online article, Nanjiani's account posted another 'message' from the multiple Oscar winning-director.

"Hey @DEADLINE, Steven Spielberg tweeted that!" the message read. "I'll give the phone back to him."

"This is Steven (Spielberg.) I tweeted that," the message continued. "I directed Jaws, ET, BFG. See? I can name 3 of my films. It has to be me."

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Kumail Nanjiani

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Kumail Nanjiani

The comical confusion prompted other Hollywood figures to join the conversation, among them comedian Mike Birbiglia, who said he thought the tweet purporting to be from Spielberg appeared "fishy".

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Mike Birbiglia

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Mike Birbiglia

The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson also got involved.

Pretending Nanjiani had co-opted his phone, Johnson posted a message that claimed Spielberg was now in possession of Nanjiani's mobile.

"If anyone has eyes on Steven Spielberg please tell him I'm not mad," wrote Johnson under the guise of Nanjiani. "I just want my phone back."

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Rian Johnson

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Rian Johnson

"I'm praying Spielberg sends a cease and desist letter," chipped in Frozen star Josh Gad. "It's the only thing that would give this saga a proper thrilling ending."

Eyebrows were raised on Monday when The Big Sick failed to receive a single nomination from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the body behind the Golden Globes.

Written by Nanjiani with his wife Emily V Gordon, the film tells of two lovebirds whose mixed-race relationship is put under strain when one of them falls into a coma.

Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.