Warner Bros. has been the latest Hollywood powerhouse to explore NFTs as it released non-fungible tokens based on their expected blockbuster The Matrix: Resurrections. The NFT platform Nifty dropped 100,000 avatars featuring Matrix-inspired characters. The tokens were only $50USD each and sold out within 48 hours back in November.
The Matrix universe began with a groundbreaking 1999 film that told a dystopian story of resistance fighters trapped in a digital false reality. Two sequels were released in 2003. The series is now continuing with The Matrix: Resurrections which opened worldwide on December 22. The series has been widely influential in filmmaking, pop culture, politics, and other facets of modern life.
Nifty’s avatars represent characters living in the Matrix. These Matrix NFT avatars aren’t characters from the films but instead, make up the rich background that supports the main plotlines. Character and clothing designs feature the futuristic, cyberpunk styling that’s prominent throughout the Matrix series.
After some issues with the initial drop, all 100,000 NFTs sold out and now sell for a minimum of $75USD. Embracing their errors, Nifty’s gave out a free “Glitch in The Matrix” NFT as an apology for the technological difficulties.
January 5th, buyers can do more than just enjoy the look of their exclusive NFTs. Holders will be able to choose a “Blue Pill” or “Red Pill” for their Matrix NFT avatars, which will transform their appearance. This decision can be made starting January 5th and mirrors a pivotal moment in the first film, where Neo must decide between the familiar world he knows and the exciting potential of broader truths.
Avatars who take the Blue Pill will stay in the safety of the Matrix. If they choose the Red Pill, they can explore many other options as fledgling resistance fighters. NFT buyers that take the Red Pill can continue the adventure through a series of challenges and options including upgrades and additional NFT purchases.
Also, according to Nifty’s, the Blue Pill will unlock your avatar’s physical traits while the Red Pill will change them. They have hinted this is especially important for those who scored avatars with rare traits.
This partnership is a new model for both Nifty and Warner Bros. Pam Lifford, the president of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, says that NFTs are a method “fans of content can interact with their favorite characters and stories in 2021.” Nifty’s CEO and co-founder Jeff Marsilio appreciates the NFT’s themes of “digital identity, and choice, and owning that identity” which reflect a major message in the Matrix films.
Warner Bros. is the most recent Hollywood studio to experiment with blockchain, but they’re not the first. Fox Corp., Lionsgate, and ViacomCBS have also offered NFTs for projects including Saw, The Masked Singer, and Krapopolis. The Matrix’s avatar NFTs offer a unique spin on this trend since they’re based on characters from the universe instead of from the movies themselves. Buyers are already using other NFTs on social media sites and other online destinations, paving the way for widespread Matrix avatar usage.
