Netflix is employing artificial intelligence to recreate the voice of Gene Wilder for its upcoming reality competition series, "Wonka's The Golden Ticket." The nine-episode show is set to premiere on September 23 and will feature 12 contestants competing within a reimagined version of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. The challenges are designed to test contestants' physical, mental, and moral fortitude, with a significant prize awaiting the winner.
A trailer for the series prominently features narration by an AI-generated rendition of Wilder's voice. This AI reproduction was developed by ElevenLabs, a company specializing in celebrity AI voice technology, and was created with the approval of Gene Wilder's estate. Wilder famously portrayed the eccentric chocolatier in the 1971 film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."
This is not the first time ElevenLabs has utilized AI to replicate well-known voices. The company recently produced a version of "The Odyssey" narrated by an AI-generated voice of Michael Caine and has secured rights to use the voice of the late Marvel icon Stan Lee for various commercial purposes. According to the Gene Wilder Estate, represented by his widow Karen B. Wilder, the use of AI honors the joy and inspiration Wilder brought to his role. "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," the estate stated.
"Wonka's The Golden Ticket" will also include Rusty Goffe, an actor who appeared as an Oompa Loompa in the original 1971 film, adding a direct connection to Wilder's cinematic legacy. ElevenLabs' technology has been described by figures like Michael Caine as a means of "amplifying" voices and supporting new storytellers rather than replacing human creativity. The company maintains a diverse library of AI voices, including those of historical figures and other celebrities.