Danny Trejo, Mena Suvari Join Gala’s Web3 TV Series, ‘RZR’
Actors Danny Trejo, Mena Suvari and Emilio Rivera have jumped on board”RZR,” the dystopian sci-fi series from Gala Film, a division of Web3 entertainment startup Gala Games.
The three veteran Hollywood actors are set for special guest-starring roles in the series, a gritty drama set in a near-future Los Angeles where underworld crime and new technologies – including crypto and artificial intelligence – are deeply intertwined. The announcements were teased across social media this week.
Suvari is best known for her award-nominated turn in the 1999 film “american beauty,” while Trejo starred in the exploit”Machete” as well as in “Spy Kids.” Rivera currently stars in the FX series “Mayans MC” and previously appeared on its sister series, “Sons of Anarchy.”
Rounding out the show’s cast are series regulars David Bianchi (“Queen of the South”), Richard Cabral (“Mayans MC”), Mimi Davila (“Broken Angels”)Christopher Marquette (“Barry”). Bianchi, the series’ lead and creator, as well co-wrote “RZR” and executive produces it via his Exertion3 Films company.
Movies on ““RZR” have already wrapped, and the project is currently in post-production. The eight-episode series premieres in July at Gala film platform, an offshoot of Web3 startup Gala Games. After that, the creators of the show hope to sell it to a major streaming service.
While the topic of “RZR” deals heavily with emerging technologies like blockchain and the show’s creators earlier sold NFTs to build engagement and community around the project, Bianchi believes the show and its goals are no different than any film or television production.
“Even though this is a Web3-born project distributed primarily through Web3 outlets, it doesn’t change the mechanics of filmmaking, and it doesn’t change the mechanics of performance,” Bianchi said Decrypt.
Viewers do not need to own an NFT to access and view “RZR,” Unlike other recent Web3 powered film ventures. At the same time, NFTs and other Web3 elements related to the show will be available for fans to purchase and engage with, should they wish to do so. Holders of the NFTs get access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content and other benefits.
It’s part of Bianchi’s view of how best to bring mass audiences to Web3: to lead with the carrot of entertainment, not the stick of education.
“The introduction of Web2 brains — of norms — into Web3 is going to rub off the backs of these people who get emotionally attached to a really cool show,” Bianchi said.
“It has to come first. And then let them hear through the grapevine that there are digital collectibles,” he continued. “As opposed to spoon-feeding people NFT.”
Noelle Hubbell (“Don’t worry dear“NBC’s”superstore”) produces “RZR,” episodes directed by Emmy winner Yuri Alves (“Grind”), Christopher Folkens (“Catalyst”), and Daniel J. Pico (“Marfa girl”), who wrote the series with Bianchi.
