Spider-Man is the name on every movie fan's lips right about now. The latest MCU wall-crawling adventure, Spider-Man: No Way Home is set to debut in just a few short weeks, and to say audiences are eagerly anticipating it would be an understatement. The Spidey threequel is already tracking to be the biggest box office draw of 2021 and those estimates are sure to surge higher as the release date draws nearer.
No Way Home isn't just going to be any silver screen outing for Marvel's webhead as the project looks like it is going to tear open the very seams of reality. The Multiverse is already at play in the MCU, but the Tom Holland-starring epic will reintroduce fans to familiar foes, by bringing in villains from both Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire's Spidey universes. Pair that with rumors that Maguire and Garfield are returning, and the stage is set for an unprecedented Marvel adventure.
Now, it seems No Way Home is not just set to break boundaries on the big screen, but in the real world as well, as the franchise dives into the world of NFTs.
No Way Home NFTs Make Their Debut
As announced by AMC Theaters, the first 86,000 fans to preorder Spider-Man: No Way Home tickets at AMC will be treated to a Spider-Man NFT (Non-Fungible Token). The exclusive, minted artwork will be available to members of AMC Stubs Premiere & A-List and AMC Investor Connect who purchase a ticket in advance of the movie's December 16 worldwide release.
The No Way Home NFT initiative marks the first time a major theatrical exhibitor has partaken in a promotion centered on the new technology, and 108 unique designs are being created by animation studio Cub Studios.
This is not the first time AMC has ventured into the world of blockchain technology, as the theater chain recently started accepting cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin at many locations.
Welcome to the Future, Spider-Man
It only seemed like a matter of time before a promotion like this hit the movie-going world. NFTs have become a hot topic over the last twelve months with people making buckets of money selling small pieces of digital art that are in short supply. Big brands like the NBA and Coca-Cola have already jumped on the blockchain train, so this doesn't feel like it is out of the blue at all.
Surely, this will not be the last time a movie-tied NFT initiative will be announced. Instead of promotional items like posters or shirts, this is a way for theaters and studios to create something exclusive to those die-hard fans without a substantive environmental impact. Think of the piles of Rise of Skywalker or Avengers promotional shirts that fill up landfills today. The only thing that an NFT fills up is a hard drive.
Now, even though the technology is fairly new still, it does seem like people are getting a little burnt out on the whole non-fungible token thing. Yes, there is money being made in the market, but it is just seeping into the mainstream, which is usually a telltale sign that something like this is no longer cool. It seems that with this kind of thing, once the big names get in, it is already too late.
But who knows? This is all pontification at this point. These Spider-Man pieces of art could hit the market and be a resounding success. Perhaps they will provide small nuggets of plot for No Way Home, as the film remains shrouded in darkness at this point.
Fans will be able to get their hands on these No Way Home NFTs when tickets for the film drop at 12:01 am on November 29.
