Will “Matrix” fans take the NFT pill?
Warner Bros. is launching the sale of 100,000 nonfungible tokens (NFTs) of “Matrix”-inspired avatars later this month. The studio is pairing the hype over NFTs with the upcoming release of “The Matrix Resurrections,” aiming to gin up excitement for the long-awaited fourth movie in the popular sci-fi franchise — and also potentially landing a $5 million windfall over the sale of the digital-collectible NFTs.
It’s a natural tie-up that will put fans in the virtual world of “The Matrix,” through what the studio claims is the largest “PFP” (profile picture) NFT drop ever with the 100,000 unique avatars available for purchase. NFTs provide a way to authenticate the ownership of unique pieces of digital content, using distributed blockchain technology — they’re akin to real-world collectibles like baseball cards. Entertainment companies like Warner Bros., Fox, ViacomCBS and Lionsgate have joined the gold rush, seeing NFTs both as providing a new business model for monetizing intellectual property and boosting fan engagement with their properties.
Beginning Nov. 30, 2021, the 100,000 “Matrix” avatar NFTs will be available exclusively on the Nifty’s social NFT platform for $50 each. That’s timed to lead up to the Dec. 22 premiere of “The Matrix Resurrections” in theaters and on HBO Max.
Nifty’s said the drop is part of a multiyear partnership with Warner Bros. covering NFTs for the “Matrix” franchise. The companies previously worked together on a collection of limited-edition NFTs featuring characters from “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” starring NBA champion LeBron James alongside Looney Tunes characters.
