Bitcoin pioneer Jeff Garzik’s production company NextCypher has tapped “Star Trek’s” Jonathan Frakes to direct an adaptation of the sci-fi novel “Deathlands.”
Frakes, who appeared as Commander Riker in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, is a veteran director who led TV programs such as ‘Star Trek: Strange New World’, ‘Star Trek: Picard’, and ‘Leverage: Redemption’.
“It’s really amazing.” Garzik said. decryptionHe added that Frakes was “incredibly humbled and blessed” to be involved in the project.
Based on a series of novels by James Axler and Jack Adrian, “Deathlands” follows the story of a group of survivors who use teleportation technology to traverse a post-apocalyptic world. “It’s post-apocalyptic, and it’s Mad Max meets AI meets the monsters of ‘Tremors’ and everything in between,” Garzik said.
The TV show is a “new” adaptation of the novel series, Garzik explained. “The book was a post-Cold War, post-nuclear war scenario,” he explained, while the TV show updated the setting to “post-AI.” Chaos and all the fun that happens afterwards.”
“I know that ‘Deathland’ is not an optimistic title,” he said. “But it’s about a group of brave survivors who continue to persevere despite what we’re thrown at each week. To me, that’s optimistic and I think it inspired Frakes.”
NextCypher’s first produced show, “Deathlands,” is scheduled to premiere on camera this spring in Sofia, Bulgaria. Garzik serves as series executive producer alongside Thomas P. Vitale, and “Pandora” and “Agent X” producer Mark A. Altman serves as showrunner.
The main developer of the Linux operating system and bitcoin core Garzik founded NextCypher Productions in 2022 with the goal of producing independent science fiction entertainment using Web3 tools.
Garzik, who co-founded Bloq, Spacechain, and Vesper Finance, explained that the company plans to leverage Web3 technologies such as non-fungible tokens.NFT) to give fans early access to productions.
Garzik emphasized that “the details are subject to change,” explaining that the publisher’s playbook includes running 1,138 NextCypher multi-pass NFTs that are “cross-production and not tied to any one IP or one specific creation.” . A specific NFT will be executed.”
Holders of multi-pass NFTs will be offered “discounts, tranches or first bites of the apple” on “Deathlands” NFTs, which will offer rewards such as downloadable digital assets and limited access to Discord events and competitions. Other ideas on the roadmap include contests to win Zoom chats with the showrunners, contributing to props, costumes and set designs, contests to win items used in the show and a “very rare trip to Sofia, Bulgaria” to visit the sets. Included. .
Garzik said NextCypher is not currently exploring Web3 funding and distribution models for the show.
“In particular, we are not yet on the verge of a real foundation for NextCypher to dedicate IP to the Web3 streaming platform.” He added that the production company is taking a “hybrid approach” that includes traditional financing and distribution models for known properties while “weaving in” Web3’s “fan-based proof” elements.
“I hope the flywheel starts to move,” he said. “Once we get some momentum and prove we can actually produce, the door opens for more Web3 funding.”
Edited by Stacey Elliott.
