iWorld
Warner Bros. launches a blockchain programme for Looney Tunes franchise
Mumbai: In collaboration with Nifty’s, a platform for NFT-powered fan communities, Warner Bros. Consumer Products has developed a new story-driven blockchain programme around the “Looney Tunes” franchise. Digital art will be used as a new storytelling medium for “Looney Tunes: What’s UP Block?,” creating a fresh narrative for the franchise, revealed through NFTs.
Filled with antics and humour just like the “Looney Tunes” characters, the programme will offer fans access to participate in activities and games as the story unfolds, both digital and in real life while earning rewards and benefits along the way including virtual meet and greets, special access and discounts to “Looney Tunes” merchandise, exclusive never-before-been-seen content, new NFT drops, and much more.
As part of the yearlong celebration of Tweety’s 80th anniversary, the canary will be the first “Looney Tunes” character featured in the new collection, all to have expressions, clothing, and accessories that will allow collectors to build community and connect with other “Looney Tunes” aficionados. This summer, the public sale, as well as an early access sale for Nifty’s community members who currently own certain NFTs, will commence.
In a statement, Warner Bros. head of NFT commercial development Josh Hackbarth said, “‘Looney Tunes’ is a pop culture sensation, representing the golden era of animation with 80+ years of storytelling and laughs. From the recent success of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” to the classic cartoons from the 1940’s and 50’s, these beloved characters continue to spark nostalgia and excitement across all generations. Today, as digital engagement and technology evolve, the “Looney Tunes” collection will further expand the reach of the franchise, bringing fans together from around the world, offering unique experiences, community building, storytelling and a whole new way for them to engage. And what better way to kick things off with Tweety as his 80th birthday celebrations continue.”
Nifty’s CEO and co-founder Jeff Marsilio said, “NFTs have limitless potential, and we are just scratching the surface of what is possible. We’re thrilled to be expanding our partnership with Warner Bros., visionaries in storytelling and creative entertainment, to use NFTs in this innovative way that also engages users and connects them to a community of other ‘Looney Tunes’ fans.”
The Tweety avatars will be minted on the Palm Network, which features low gas costs and fast transaction finality. This is the third project launched by Nifty’s and Warner Bros. to create NFTs incorporating mainstream entertainment IP. Late last year, the two partnered to create the ‘Matrix Avatars’ NFT programme, which the parties state remains one of the largest PFP (profile picture) projects to date. In July of 2021, Nifty’s introduced a collection of limited-edition NFTs featuring characters from the live-action/animated film ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’, which reintroduced the popular ‘Looney Tunes’.
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
