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Netflix Facing Wonka Reality Show Backlash After Using AI to Recreate Gene Wilder's Voice

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Netflix Facing Wonka Reality Show Backlash After Using AI to Recreate Gene Wilder's Voice

A new Wonka-themed reality competition series has used AI to recreate Gene Wilder's voice. The Golden Ticket, a nine-part Netflix series premiering September 23, debuted its first trailer this week, unveiling an AI-generated Wilder narration that promises a "life-changing prize" for the show's winner.

Netflix partnered with AI audio company ElevenLabs for the project, according to Deadline, and Wilder's estate has given its consent to the controversial move. ElevenLabs also recently made headlines in a deal with the Stan Lee Universe, resurrecting the voice and likeness of the Marvel Comics legend for a series of audiobooks and more.

Despite the estate's backing, Netflix's use of the AI-created voice was swiftly criticized across social media platforms.

"Using dead people's voices through AI is just so creepy," one person posted, while another wrote, "It's maddening to me that anyone could be okay with this. Five years ago, everyone would have called it horrific and disrespectful. Now we're just ressurecting the dead for 'content.'"

Twilight franchise star Jackson Rathbone also responded to the news, posting parody lyrics of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory's iconic "Oompa Loompa" song: "Oompa Loompa Doompity Doo/I've got another puzzle for you/If you die and don't sign a will/They will lie and profit from you," which got the response "It looks like a lot of fun, and plenty of people who grew up with the movie are genuinely excited for it. If Karen Wilder signed off on it, that's good enough for me. He loved his wife. God forbid some people see the letters 'AI' anywhere without completely losing a gasket," among others.