The Flash is the first new release movie to hit the blockchain, whatever that means
The Flash movie will be an NFT now, because the future is utterly ridiculous
Aux News Flash
The Flash, despite some almighty hype, is not a success story. In fact, it’s an explicit failure, with some experts speculating that the film might lose Warner Bros. Pictures up to $200 million. Given all the drama that surrounded DC Studios in general and this film specifically leading up to the release, it’s clear The Flash missed its moment. And speaking of missed moments, The Flash is going to be released as an NFT. This will mark “the first new release feature film from a major Hollywood film studio to be released on blockchain.”
So what does that mean exactly? That’s such a good question. To the blockchain novice—which this writer may or may not be—The Flash NFT looks a bit like a movie metaverse (à la the Us and Nope metaverse experiences launched last year) but sounds essentially like the Special Features section of a DVD. Except in this case, each copy of the movie and its special features are just a little bit different, and instead of putting the film into a DVD player or having it saved to your hard drive, it’s hosted on Eluvio’s blockchain. Is this making sense?
It is hard to imagine a film that flopped as hard as The Flash having fans so dedicated they want to invest in NFTs of the film and its bonus content, but it is “a chance for DC fans to own a piece of motion picture history,” per Michelle Munson, the CEO and co-founder of Eluvio (via Decrypt). It’s not too expensive to own a piece of history, if that’s what we’re agreeing it is (it’s certainly a thing that is happening). There are two editions of The Flash NFT: The Mystery edition, of which there are 10,000 copies, is $35. The Premium edition, of which there are 2,000 copies, is $100.
There are a bunch of special little treats for Flash fans in each edition, including pieces of key art of characters and those metaverse-esque locations (“dynamic menu interfaces”). Based on the trailer posted to Twitter, the latter looks like a classic point and click game, wherein you click around and find “hidden collectibles” like “exclusive 2D digital cards” or “3D models” and “unbelievable AR experiences.” (This one looks like a bunch of bats flying around your phone, not unlike a TikTok filter. Pretty believable, if you ask this novice, but what do I know.) There’s also regular Special Features stuff (“hours” of it, apparently) like deleted scenes, for those who just can’t get enough Flash. Then of course there’s the actual film in 4K Ultra HD.
That’s what counts for cinema history these days, apparently: a historic flop of a film getting in on a crypto fad long after the getting was good. From a certain angle, it’s a marriage that makes complete sense. From other angles, particularly if you don’t understand NFTs, it doesn’t make any sense at all. Life sure is funny that way!
The Flash is hitting the blockchain on July 18.
20 Comments
NFTs have largely been a flop, so this is kind of fitting in a way.
I get the feeling that this deal was signed sometime in 2021, when The Flash was poised for release within the next year and NFTs had nowhere to go but up. And now WBD is stuck honoring this deal after both entities crashed and burned.
They should have gone with selling stills of the movie on a flash drive.
3.5″ floppy or nothing
Didn’t know there was a superhero called The 3.5″ Floppy.
3.5″ Floppy is the Hulk’s nickname. That’s why he’s so angry.
One of Mr. Fantastic’s less flattering nicknames.
The only NFT I want associated with The Flash are Nice Fitting Tights.
I feel like I understand NFTs alright. (Enough to keep up with up with my programmer father, not enough that some one would mistake me as interested) However, none of these words make any sense.
Tens of people are excited about this.
What would make a bad movie better? Hours of special features!
Apparently.
I’ve got Max, so I’ll probably watch eventually, but I’m not paying extra.
I’ve got Plex, so I’ll probably watch eventually too, but I’m not paying extra.
I might watch for $35, but if they are willing to pay me $100 I will definitely watch.
I would love to hear from anyone who bought one of these. The intersection of fans of this movie/Miller and NFT believers just sounds like a small group of people it’d be interesting to talk to.
If you really wanted to talk to that sort of person, look for any blue check reply to any Musk tweet.
Are Snyder fans liking this film even though Snyder isn’t involved?
Remember when they used to sell trading cards that were just stills of a movie that had just come out? Kind of sounds like that except deprived of even collectors value.
There will be dozens of us! Dozens!
I’m still disappointed Kevin Smith went the blockchain route to distribute “KillRoy Was Here.” I just want to see the movie!Anyway, I hope “The Flash” will still end up on Max because I really want to see it and it’s not easy for my disabled ass to get to a theater.
Batman Returns Again featuring the Flash.