Samuel L Jackson's Fierce Battle for Snakes on a Plane: An Unbelievable Untold Story

Summary

The movie's title played a crucial role in conveying its absurd plot and generating online buzz, effectively informing audiences about what to anticipate.

The movie's potential underperformance could be attributed to its alternate title, as "Snakes on a Plane" was the initial source of excitement for fans and contributed to its status as a cult classic.

Samuel L. Jackson successfully advocated for the retention of the title "Snakes on a Plane" despite the studio's initial objections. Directed by David R. Ellis, the film premiered in 2006 and revolves around Neville Flynn (played by Jackson), an FBI agent responsible for escorting a murder witness from Hawaii to California. The plot intensifies when venomous snakes are unleashed on their passenger flight, forcing Flynn into action. In addition to Jackson, the movie featured performances by Nathan Phillips, Julianna Margulies, Rachel Blanchard, Flex Alexander, Bobby Cannavale, and others.

While Snakes on a Plane sparked considerable discussion at the time, Jackson disclosed that the film was on the verge of being titled something entirely different. In an interview with Vulture, the actor revealed that the studio was interested in changing the title to prevent spoiling the premise. However, Jackson swiftly intervened and opposed the idea. Read his reflection below:

I committed to the project, but things took a turn. Amidst all the chaos, the director was unexpectedly let go. Despite this setback, I remained resolute: 'No way am I backing out now.' Upon arrival, there was an attempt to rebrand the film as something like Pacific Flight 121, in an effort to keep the plot under wraps. My response was immediate: 'That's exactly what you shouldn't do! Why on earth would you want to rename it? I signed up for Snakes on a Plane, and I can assure you that audiences will be far more thrilled about Snakes on a Plane than Pacific Flight 121.'

Why Snakes On A Plane Was The Perfect Title

The film Snakes on a Plane gained significant attention online, primarily because of its title, which effectively informed audiences of what to expect in a humorous way. It generated comparisons to B-movies and emphasized its outrageous plot, showcasing the chaos onboard the aircraft and the disruption of a couple's intimate moment in the bathroom by multiple snake attacks. Despite successfully piquing viewer interest, the film ultimately failed to perform well at the box office, leading to disappointment. Given the nature of Snakes on a Plane, its title remains fitting, and it's difficult to imagine what would have been revealed if the premise had been kept a secret. The movie includes several memorable scenes, including some of Samuel L. Jackson's standout lines, which gained further recognition through the TV versions. Notably, there is a scene where the entire plane is under attack by snakes, and a woman's dog is targeted by a large python.

One cannot help but ponder how the audience's reaction would have been altered had the movie been given a different title. It is intriguing to consider whether the discussions surrounding Snakes on a Plane would have undergone any transformations. As Jackson astutely observed, the title itself generated early excitement among fans, similar to the effect experienced by Eight Legged Freaks, another film in a similar genre that was released a few years prior. If Snakes on a Plane had opted for an alternative title, it is plausible that its performance may have been lackluster, resulting in it not achieving its current status as a cult classic.