What if NFTs could change the way movies are funded, produced, and experienced?
In this special episode of NFT Morning, John and Rem welcome Arthur Madrid and Sébastien Borget, for an exclusive first look at their latest project: Hollywood Hills.
After helping pioneer the metaverse and Web3 gaming, the two entrepreneurs are exploring a new frontier: independent horror cinema.
Their ambition? To create much more than a movie by building an entire intellectual property that brings together cinema, gaming, NFTs, and community participation.
At the heart of Hollywood Hills is a cosmic horror film set in Los Angeles, where a true-crime sightseeing tour through the Hollywood Hills takes a terrifying turn following a mysterious cosmic event.
But what makes Hollywood Hills particularly interesting is its innovative approach to funding and audience engagement.
On one side, a crowdfunding campaign on Republic will allow supporters to become investors in the film, with potential access to a share of its future revenues, depending on the investment terms.
On the other, a collection of 3,000 unique NFT villas, designed by artist Steve Scott, will invite collectors to explore the movie’s universe, uncover hidden clues, solve mysteries, and unlock exclusive experiences.
One of the most original initiatives is Dead and Famous, a real-life sightseeing bus tour in Los Angeles inspired by the movie’s storyline, bringing the fictional universe into the physical world.
Beyond the project itself, the conversation raises a fundamental question: What role can NFTs still play in 2026, now that the market has dramatically changed since the hype of 2021?
Arthur and Sébastien share their vision of NFTs not simply as speculative digital assets, but as tools for building communities, expanding fictional universes, and creating deeper relationships between creators and their audiences.
A fascinating conversation at the intersection of Web3, independent filmmaking, gaming, and the creator economy, exploring how the next generation of entertainment franchises could be built.
Useful Links
Hollywood Hills official website: https://hollywoodhills.cc
Republic (crowdfunding platform): https://republic.com
The Sandbox: https://www.sandbox.game
Hollywood Hills Villas collection on Opensea: Coming Soon…
Key Announcements
3,000 NFT villas designed by Steve Scott, featuring different rarity levels and storytelling elements.
NFT mint planned for October 15, 2026, on OpenSea.
Republic crowdfunding campaign allowing eligible participants to invest in the movie.
Dead and Famous bus tour planned to launch in Los Angeles in late October.
Interactive storytelling and ARG experiences, connecting NFT holders to the movie’s unfolding mysteries.
Important distinction:
Owning a Hollywood Hills NFT does not grant any rights to the film’s revenues.
Investment participation through Republic is a separate offering, subject to its terms.
