WILLY WONKA LIVES AGAIN! Netflix Uses AI to Bring Gene Wilder's Voice Back From Beyond
The late actor's iconic voice will guide contestants through a brand-new golden ticket competition series—and his family gave the green light.
Hold onto your top hats! Netflix is bringing Gene Wilder back to the Chocolate Factory—courtesy of some seriously cool AI magic. According to Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline, the streaming giant partnered with audio tech firm ElevenLabs to recreate Wilder's legendary voice for the upcoming unscripted reality show "Wonka's The Golden Ticket." The late actor, who made Roald Dahl's candy king unforgettable in the 1971 film classic, passed away in 2016—but his voice will live on to narrate the new competition series.
Here's the sweetest part: Wilder's estate gave Netflix permission to resurrect his signature vocal style. That means his widow and the family are totally on board with bringing that whimsical, wickedly charming Wonka energy back to screens. No voice impersonator needed!
The show is set to premiere September 23 on Netflix, marking a full 55 years after "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" first hit theaters. Contestants will compete for golden tickets and chocolate-themed prizes, all while hearing Wilder's recreated voice guide them through the madness. It's a candy-coated blend of nostalgia and next-gen tech that only Netflix could dream up!
Wonka fans, get ready to feel the magic all over again.
Sources · Variety · The Hollywood Reporter · Deadline