Warner Bros Releases Matrix NFTs with ‘Red or Blue Pill’ Options

Ahead of the first Matrix reboot in 18 years, Warner Brothers is set to release a range of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for just US$50 each from November 30.

In conjunction with social NFT platform Nifty’s, Warners will launch 100,000 avatars themed around The Matrix Resurrections, the fifth instalment of the blockbuster film franchise and the first since 2003’s twin release of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Resolutions, set to open in Australian cinemas on January 1.

The series centres on a cyberpunk story of humanity’s technological fall, with the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) heralding a race of self-aware machines that imprison mankind in a virtual reality system – the Matrix – to be farmed as a power source. Some of the prisoners break free from the system and, considered a threat, are pursued by the AI both inside and outside of it.

Your Choice: Red Pill or Blue Pill?

A central theme of The Matrix is the dilemma of choice versus control, symbolised by the red pill and the blue pill: you can learn a life-changing truth by taking the former or remain in a state of blissful ignorance by taking the latter.

Similarly, buyers of the Matrix NFTs have a choice: choose the blue pill, and their avatar’s character remains in the Matrix; choose the red pill, and their avatar transforms into a resistance fighter.

If you think about all the ways fans of content can interact with their favourite characters and stories in 2021 – via retail stores, theme parks, social media, collectibles, or online shops – digital art and collectibles are certainly on that list now. NFTs are another touchpoint for fans to engage.

Pam Lifford, president, Warner Bros consumer products

Warner Bros are far from the only filmmakers exploring the potential of NFTs for creative and commercial purposes. New 2021 feature films Lockdown and Zero Contact were both released as NFTs, while 2015 martial arts movie Kung Fury director David Sandberg has launched a line of NFT characters that may feature in his upcoming movies. And just last week, Pulp Fiction director Quentin Tarantino announced the release of a line of NFTs based on his celebrated 1994 film.