Find My NFT Avatar: Action Hero Edition
The trailer for the Matrix Resurrections was released recently, which reminded me of how much I love Keanu, which reminded me of how John Wick is just about a perfect action movie.
Since NFTs are on my brain pretty much 24/7, it made me think about which NFT avatar John Wick might have.
Sure, there’s no evidence that the brooding hitman ever used a computer. Zero chance he would ever have social media. Even less chance he would embrace the blockchain given his penchant for remaining old-fashioned.
But this is the internet: the things we write don’t have to be true.
So let’s speculate on which avatars would perfectly capture the spirit of 10 of our favorite action movie characters!
Rocky: Alphabetty Doodles #1514 (current owner: CeSquared)
Rocky Balboa may have been a tough guy, but the dim-witted southpaw was also a softie at heart and took a particular interest in learning how to read. He was never one to need to act tough, so he would have appreciated the Alphabettys’ focus on childhood education and literacy. The Alphabettys don’t have a handball as an option, so a tennis ball would have to do.
John McClane: Curio Card #19
Much like Paul Pierce tweeting a picture of a rocket because he was too old to figure out how to use an emoji, the always low-tech McClane would probably just choose something he liked as his profile pic, regardless of whether it was meant to be an avatar or not.
John wouldn’t care about the reference to crypto, but instead would take it on its face as literally reminding him of dogs playing poker. For some reason, I feel like he would have found that hilarious.
Iron Man: Avastars #8339 (current owner: j1mmy)
This list wouldn’t be complete without some Marvel IP, and of all the Avengers, Tony would be the most likely to adopt new technology and embrace NFTs.
Tony Stark was many things: a smooth talker. A womanizer. A drunk. But under it all, he was a technical nerd.
He loved building and learning; not only did he build his first suit using primitive tools while held captive in a cave (debatably realistic even by superhero standards) but he was constantly upgrading and remaking his suits throughout all of the MCU films.
To that end, I think he would have appreciated the technical prowess of j1mmy’s early customizable on-chain project. The VR glasses for the nod to his alter ego, and the clown nose because he never took himself too seriously.
Dominic Toretto: Gutter Rat #89 (current owner: pkhowdy)
Dom cares about one thing: family. He and his family have made quite an evolution, moving up from drag racing and stealing VCRs to… whatever this is.
The Fast and Furious franchise has only gotten more fun and less believable over time, but it would be nice to see a throwback to a simpler time, when Dom was just a dude who liked to drive fast and would occasionally get hurt after a giant car wreck that would kill a mere mortal.
The Gutter Rats were a companion airdrop to the Gutter Cat Gang, which seems to be all about family (#ganggang). With more species dropping soon, the Gang family keeps growing, just like Dom’s (RIP Paul Walker.)
This rat fits Dom like a glove.
Sarah Connor: Sup Duck #327 (current owner: SPACtacularSpideyBoi)
Matching glasses. ‘90’s style. Generally unhappy demeanor. This duck seems to capture much of the spirit of the heroine of the Terminator franchise.
While she’s not as well known as Arnold’s robotic counterpart, her humanity drove the films, and her desire to protect her son at all costs drove her to take out a seemingly indestructible T-1000.
This avatar’s lava skin could remind Sarah of her greatest triumph (admittedly, Arnie sealed the deal, but nevertheless.)
James Bond: BAYC #6275 (current owner: nftcrypto3)
Elegant. Sleek. Elite. Good descriptors for both 007 and this simply dressed ape.
Bond’s suits are the stuff of legend, so it’s hard to imagine his avatar wearing anything else. A black suit, the rarest ape clothing item and one included in the upcoming lot from British auction house Christie’s, is a must. No flash or fuss, just a suit and an ape.
And with that grin, there’s no doubt he’s a charmer with the ladies.
Ellen Ripley: MetaHero #3197 (current owner: ToTheMoon333VAULT)
Tough as nails, deadly serious Ripley would definitely not want an alien avatar. She’s as heroic as they come, so a Hero seems like a fitting choice. The cat is perfect (obviously) and the “Molten” suit is a good reminder of how capable she is with a flamethrower.
Unclear which avatar her clone would choose though.
Imperator Furiosa: CryptoPunk #863 (current owner: C352B5)
It’s fair to say that in the post-apocalyptic future of Mad Max: Fury Road, CryptoPunks won’t be as unattainably expensive as they are now. So it might be within Furiosa’s budget to pick up this Punk, which captures her badass essence with nothing more than a bald head and black lipstick.
This punk may look plain, but don’t underestimate her.
Tyler Durden: FLUF World #5136 (current owner: TheeHustleHouseNFT)
For this exercise, we’ll assume we’re talking about Edward Norton’s narrator, and not the actual, non-existent Tyler (SPOILERS FOR A 20-YEAR-OLD MOVIE THAT EVERYBODY HAS SEEN!)
Prior to the events of Fight Club, the Narrator lived a pretty boring, mundane existence. And then, of course, he blew up his apartment, and later, an entire city.
Tyler embraced an anti-materialistic, anti-consumerist ethic, and likely would have been entirely in favor of decentralization and disruption of the status quo. Seriously, watch this clip, replace Fight Club with NFTs, and tell me he’s not the perfect icon for this moment:
These creepy, dystopic rabbits feel very Durden-esque, and this guy’s colorful fur in a back alley captures Durden’s unusual style.
John Wick: Ghxsts Demxn 06 — Cursed Demxn 1/3 (current owner: Dingaling)
There’s no question that John Wick is a tortured soul. After losing his wife, John tried to live a quiet life, until Iosef Tarasov killed his dog and stole his car, unleashing Baba Yaga once again on the world.
After that, John went back to his old ways, destroying everything and everyone on his path for revenge. A Demxn captures John’s inner turmoil, with the black-on-black design reminiscent of John’s preferred apparel and the third eye a nod to John’s ability to always be one step ahead.
While there’s no doubt that Dingaling would drive a hard bargain for his PFP, I would hope that for enough of those mysterious gold coins, John could get a deal done.
Agree with my assessment? Have a better idea? Hit me up at @keepfischin on Twitter or comment below!