Samuel L. Jackson recounted a behind-the-scenes story about filming the 2006 movie Snakes on a Plane during an appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast.
He explained that after the first director was let go, New Line Cinema wanted to change the movie’s title to Pacific Flight 121. But Jackson refused to allow it.
He remembered being handed new script pages on his first day and being confused when he saw the title, ‘Pacific Flight 121.’ He thought to himself, ‘What is this?’
Jackson argued that changing the movie’s title would ruin its potential. He famously stated, “That’s exactly what we want! I didn’t sign on to make a film called Pacific Flight 121; I’m here to make Snakes on a Plane, and if that’s not the title, I’m out.”
The movie Snakes on a Plane is about a dangerous situation on an airplane where venomous snakes are unleashed to kill someone who is testifying in court.
The film, starring Jackson and directed by David R. Ellis, gained a lot of attention online even before it came out. Its strange title and wild storyline sparked a buzz, and fans actually influenced the movie’s creation, leading to five additional days of filming.
Although there was a lot of anticipation, the movie received mixed reactions and didn’t perform well at the box office. It earned $15.25 million during its opening weekend and a total of $62 million worldwide. Interestingly, the studio, New Line Cinema, chose not to show the film to critics before it was released.
Rotten Tomatoes reports a 69% approval rating for the movie, based on 178 reviews. Critics generally agree that the film delivers exactly what it promises – snakes on a plane – and doesn’t try to be anything more. Metacritic gave it a score of 58 out of 100, meaning reviews were mixed.
Viewers had a lively reaction to the film, with many cheering, clapping, and actively participating during showings. It received a B− rating from CinemaScore.
The film received positive reviews from some critics who appreciated its energetic and exaggerated style. Randy Cordova from The Arizona Republic described it as a confidently executed action film, while Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle suggested it was one of the most enjoyable movies of the year. Ty Burr of the Boston Globe particularly praised the lead actor, noting his strong presence and the passion he brought to the role, essentially becoming a driving creative force behind the film.
You know, for Peter Jackson, the title of the film wasn’t just some throwaway marketing thing – it was the whole point. He really felt like if he couldn’t nail the title, the whole project wasn’t worth doing. It was that important to him.
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2025-10-29 15:45