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'Snakes' sheds previews

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By DAVE MCNARY

New Line will bow 'Snakes on a Plane' sans press screenings Aug. 17.

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Taking the route employed by many genre films, New Line has decided to avoid any potentially buzz-killing pre-release reviews of "Snakes on a Plane."

"Snakes," which has developed a surprisingly high interest level on the Internet in the past year, will launch without press screenings prior to its first late-evening showings on Aug. 17. The pic, starring Samuel L. Jackson, will open at 2,500-plus playdates.

New Line said Monday the decision was the result of the fan support for "Snakes," directed by David Ellis.

"Understanding that they would be the driving force behind the film, we decided early on they should be the first to see it," the mini-major said. "They will have the opportunity on Thursday evening, Aug. 17, at 10 p.m. shows across the country. We are not planning any advance media or promotional screenings prior to that."