Netflix Recreates Gene Wilder's Voice With AI for New Willy Wonka Reality Series
Gene Wilder is returning to Wonka's Chocolate Factory nearly a decade after his death — courtesy of artificial intelligence.
Netflix announced that its new unscripted competition series, Wonka's The Golden Ticket, will feature an AI-recreated version of Wilder's voice as Willy Wonka, the role he originated in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The show premieres Sept. 23, exactly 55 years after the original film's release.
How the Voice Was Made
Netflix partnered with AI audio company ElevenLabs to recreate Wilder's voice, working directly with the late actor's estate to secure approval. Wilder died in 2016. The collaboration mirrors similar projects ElevenLabs has completed with the estates of other deceased performers, including Judy Garland and Burt Reynolds, as well as voice licensing deals with living actors like Michael Caine.
Karen B. Wilder, Gene Wilder's wife, issued a statement on behalf of the Gene Wilder Estate endorsing the project. "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," she said. "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."
A teaser trailer released alongside the announcement features the AI-generated voice delivering a new line: "For the first time in decades, I'm opening my beloved chocolate factory... Marvel at the magic you remember and delight in my newest wonders beyond imagination."
What the Show Is
Wonka's The Golden Ticket follows 12 Golden Ticket winners, each accompanied by a partner of their choosing, as they navigate a recreated version of Wonka's Chocolate Factory across a series of physical, mental and moral challenges. One contestant will ultimately walk away with what Netflix describes as "Wonka's life-changing prize." The series runs nine episodes, with the first seven dropping on premiere day and a two-part finale following on Sept. 30.
Rusty Goffe, who portrayed an Oompa Loompa in the original 1971 film, will reprise the role for the new series. The show was filmed on the Gold Coast in Australia and is produced by Eureka Productions, with Chris Culvenor, Paul Franklin, Rikkie Proost, David Tibballs, Alison Holloway and Emer Harkin serving as executive producers. It marks Netflix's latest project tied to author Roald Dahl's work since the streamer acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company in 2021.
Not Without Controversy
The use of AI to recreate a deceased actor's voice has already drawn sharp criticism online, reflecting broader unease in Hollywood over synthetic performance technology. The decision lands amid ongoing industry-wide debate over AI's role in entertainment, an issue that has been a recurring flashpoint in recent union negotiations involving performers and the use of their likenesses.
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