Netflix's upcoming reality series, 'Wonka's The Golden Ticket,' will feature an AI-generated voice of the late Gene Wilder, who portrayed Willy Wonka in the 1971 film. This decision was made with the consent of Wilder's estate, and the voice is being recreated by AI audio firm ElevenLabs. However, initial reactions on social media have been largely negative, with some users comparing it unfavorably to past events related to the Wonka brand.
The use of AI to recreate voices of deceased actors is becoming more common in the entertainment industry. Experts suggest that studios are exploring audience acceptance of such technologies, as seen in other projects like Disney's digital recreation of James Earl Jones's voice. However, the reception of these AI-generated performances may vary significantly based on the popularity of the original voice or character.