Netflix Revives Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka Voice With AI For New Reality Series
More than five decades after Gene Wilder first stepped into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, his distinctive voice is returning in an unexpected way.
Netflix has used artificial intelligence to recreate the late actor’s voice for its upcoming reality competition series, Wonka's The Golden Ticket, sparking both excitement and unease among fans.
The streaming giant partnered with AI voice company ElevenLabs to produce a digital version of Wilder’s voice for the show’s trailer and parts of the series.
The project was developed with the approval of the Gene Wilder Estate and Wilder’s widow, Karen B. Wilder.
Set to premiere on 23 September, the series places 12 golden-ticket winners and their chosen partners inside a real-life version of Wonka’s chocolate factory.
Contestants will face physical, mental and ethical challenges, with only one participant claiming a mysterious “life-changing” prize.
The production also pays tribute to the beloved 1971 film adaptation of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’.
Original Oompa Loompa actor Rusty Goffe is returning to reprise his role in the new series.
Gene Wilder Estate Gives Its Blessing
Wilder died in 2016 at the age of 83, making the use of his voice one of the latest examples of AI bringing back the performances of deceased actors and entertainers.
Gene Wilder was an award-winning actor and comedian best remembered for his iconic performance as Willy Wonka in the 1971 adaptation of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
His widow welcomed the project, saying it introduces the actor’s work to a new generation while celebrating his legacy.
Karen B. Wilder said on behalf of the Gene Wilder Estate,
“More than five decades after Gene brought Willy Wonka to life, people of all ages and backgrounds around the world continue to find joy, laughter and inspiration in his performance.”
“Gene had a remarkable ability to bring humor, wonder and heart into people’s lives, and that connection has endured for generations. We are delighted that ‘Wonka’s The Golden Ticket’ celebrates the warmth and imagination that he brought to the role, introducing that magic to a new generation while honoring the fans who have cherished it for decades.”
Fans Split Over AI Recreation Of A Beloved Character
Despite the estate’s approval, the announcement has drawn criticism online, with some viewers questioning whether iconic performances should be recreated through artificial intelligence.
Several social media users described the move as “disrespectful” and “a plastic substitute”, while others argued that the recreated voice lacks the charm and emotion that made Wilder’s performance so memorable.
One commenter wrote:
“In the end, it still sounds like every robotic AI voice you have heard.”
Others joked that the series could end up resembling the infamous “Willy’s Chocolate Experience” event held in Glasgow in 2024, which went viral after failing to deliver the immersive experience it had promised.
One user posted alongside an image from the event,
“Perhaps the Wonka experience was better than this (not that it's saying much).”
Hollywood Continues To Test AI Resurrections
The use of AI-generated voices and likenesses has become increasingly common across the entertainment industry.
ElevenLabs has previously recreated the voices of Judy Garland and Burt Reynolds and produced an AI-narrated version of ‘The Odyssey’ featuring Michael Caine’s voice.
Other studios have revived the performances of late stars including Carrie Fisher, Harold Ramis and Paul Walker, while Disney used AI technology to recreate James Earl Jones’ voice as Darth Vader in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’.
Jocelyn Burnham, who studies the use of artificial intelligence in arts and culture, said entertainment companies appear to be “testing the waters” to see what audiences are willing to accept.
She noted that audiences are not “automatically hostile” to all uses of AI recreations, citing previous examples that have received broader acceptance.
However, she argued that there is currently no established industry consensus on where audiences draw the line, adding that the more beloved a voice or character is, the more closely the resulting project is likely to be scrutinised.
An Irony In Netflix’s Love Letter To Wonka
The new series is being produced by the Roald Dahl Story Company, which Netflix acquired in 2021.
Yet some long-time fans have pointed out an irony in the project.
Author Roald Dahl was famously unhappy with the 1971 film adaptation and reportedly disowned it because of disagreements over the script and casting.
He also refused to allow a film adaptation of the sequel ‘Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator’.
Despite owning Dahl’s literary estate, Netflix has chosen to embrace the version of Willy Wonka that the author himself reportedly disliked.
In the trailer, the AI-generated Wilder tells viewers:
“There’s no turning back now.”
For many observers, that line has become an unintended reflection of a much larger debate about how far artificial intelligence should go in bringing famous voices and performances back to life.
Weatherly