Netflix revives Gene Wilder’s voice with AI for new Willy Wonka competition series

Who could forget the famous chocolate factory and its iconic host, Willy Wonka?

More than five decades since it was first introduced to the world, ‘Wonka’s Chocolate Factory’ is coming to life through a new competition series. On September 23, Netflix will premiere ‘Wonka’s The Golden Ticket,’ a show following 12 contestants as they take on a series of challenges inside the chocolate factory for the chance to win the grand prize.

The series’s trailer features a re-creation of Gene Wilder’s voice with the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Wilder is the candy man and the main role of the 1971 children’s favorite ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.’ The actor died in 2016 at the age of 83 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

“A whole new generation of real-life Golden Ticket holders will compete for a life-changing prize or say a most unfortunate goodbye,” the AI-generated recreation of Wilder’s voice says in the trailer’s voiceover. “Marvel at the magic you remember and delight in my newest wonders beyond imagination. The most extraordinary competition on Earth is about to begin.”

According to his wife Karen Wilder, his husband’s role as Willy Wonka continues to bring joy, laughter, and inspiration to people of all ages even after five decades had past.

“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,” she said in a statement released by Netflix.

AI…again?

The release of the trailer of the 9-episode reality competition series drew several reactions from the netizens, especially with the use of AI to revive Wilder’s voice.

Using dead people’s voices through AI is just so creepy.

You’re @netflix. Just hire a voice actor. https://t.co/I0eHDsItOX

— Liam (@AceTrainerLiam) June 30, 2026

“Netflix has recreated Gene Wilder’s voice for the series with AI.”

Gene Wilder died in 2016 and never, ever gave permission for his voice to be used in AI shit like this. I am so much angrier than I should be. https://t.co/SuZm9RfjD6

— 🌙🪓Uncle StayPuft🏴 (@ClownPunished) June 30, 2026

This is not the first time the chocolate factory has been involved with the use of AI through its revivals.

In 2024, a Willy Wonka-inspired “Chocolate Experience” in Glasgow drew widespread criticism after attendees said the event was nothing like the advertised chocolate factory. The experience featured seemingly AI-generated promotional posters and AI-written scripts for its actors.

The project is a partnership between Netflix and ElevenLabs, a generative AI platform specializing in ultra-realistic text-to-speech (TTS), voice cloning, audio generation, and conversational AI agents.

With this move, concerns have emerged over the growing use of AI to recreate the voices of late actors, as well as the potential loss of job opportunities and labor protections in an already struggling Hollywood job market.

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