Netflix Slammed After Using AI to Recreate Late Gene Wilder’s Voice for Willy Wonka Competition Series

Netflix is facing criticism after using AI to recreate the late Gene Wilder‘s voice for a Willy Wonka-inspired competition series.

The streamer shared a teaser for the upcoming series on Tuesday, June 30, titled, Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, which will see Wilder narrate the series as eccentric chocolate factory owner, Willy Wonka, and it’s safe to say the internet is not happy.

Fans of both Wilder and the 1971 classic, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory took to the comments of a clip re-posted by Discussing Film on X to sound off, calling the show “the beginning of the end.”

“Gross. Like I don’t mind a little reality show based on this, but using Gene Wilder’s voice with AI is so scummy,” one user wrote, with another adding, “Looks like an interesting competition show, but why would you AI generate Gene Wilder’s voice for it? That just feels wrong, especially since the only reason you did it, is to have the celebrity nostalgia factor.”

Another suggested using Wonka star, Timothée Chalamet, to narrate the series, given his starring role in the prequel.

“You could’ve used Timothee Chalamet. He just played Wonka a few years ago,” the user wrote, with another commenter quipping that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory author, Roald Dahl, would be “rolling over in his grave” at thought of his beloved 1964 novel being used as the inspiration for a reality TV series.

Wilder’s estate did, however, officially approve Netflix to use AI to recreate the comedian’s voice for the series, and worked with AI company ElevenLabs to make it happen. In a statement shared by Netflix, Wilder’s wife, Karen Wilder, said the estate is “delighted” to celebrate the “warmth and imagination” Wilder — who died in 2016 — brought to the role, and introduce the actor to a whole new generation of viewers.

“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,” Karen said on behalf of the Gene Wilder Estate. “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,” Karen continued.

Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, which is set to hit the streamer September 23, will take both inspiration from the film and Dahl’s source novel, as 12 contestants go head-to-head, competing in challenges across the Chocolate Factory in hopes of winning one “life-changing prize.”

In addition to bringing Wilder’s familiar voice back to the chocolate factory, the show will also see the return of Rusty Goffe, who played an Oompa Loompa in the 1971 film.