Who might overlook the well-known chocolate manufacturing unit and its iconic host, Willy Wonka?
Greater than 5 a long time because it was first launched to the world, ‘Wonka’s Chocolate Manufacturing facility’ is coming to life via a brand new competitors sequence. On September 23, Netflix will premiere ‘Wonka’s The Golden Ticket,’ a present following 12 contestants as they tackle a sequence of challenges contained in the chocolate manufacturing unit for the possibility to win the grand prize.
The sequence’s trailer contains a re-creation of Gene Wilder’s voice with using synthetic intelligence (AI). Wilder is the sweet man and the primary function of the 1971 kids’s favourite ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Manufacturing facility.’ The actor died in 2016 on the age of 83 as a consequence of problems from Alzheimer’s illness.
“A complete new era of real-life Golden Ticket holders will compete for a life-changing prize or say a most unlucky goodbye,” the AI-generated recreation of Wilder’s voice says within the trailer’s voiceover. “Marvel on the magic you bear in mind and enjoyment of my latest wonders past creativeness. Essentially the most extraordinary competitors on Earth is about to start.”
In response to his spouse Karen Wilder, his husband’s function as Willy Wonka continues to convey pleasure, laughter, and inspiration to individuals of all ages even after 5 a long time had previous.
“Gene had a outstanding potential to convey humor, marvel and coronary heart into individuals’s lives, and that connection has endured for generations. We’re delighted that ‘Wonka’s The Golden Ticket’ celebrates the heat and creativeness that he delivered to the function, introducing that magic to a brand new era whereas honoring the followers who’ve cherished it for many years,” she stated in an announcement launched by Netflix.
AI…once more?
The discharge of the trailer of the 9-episode actuality competitors sequence drew a number of reactions from the netizens, particularly with using AI to revive Wilder’s voice.
Utilizing lifeless individuals’s voices via AI is simply so creepy.
You’re @netflix. Simply rent a voice actor. https://t.co/I0eHDsItOX
— Liam (@AceTrainerLiam) June 30, 2026
“Netflix has recreated Gene Wilder’s voice for the sequence with AI.”
Gene Wilder died in 2016 and by no means, ever gave permission for his voice for use in AI shit like this. I’m a lot angrier than I needs to be. https://t.co/SuZm9RfjD6
— 🌙🪓Uncle StayPuft🏴 (@ClownPunished) June 30, 2026
This isn’t the primary time the chocolate manufacturing unit has been concerned with using AI via its revivals.
In 2024, a Willy Wonka-inspired “Chocolate Expertise” in Glasgow drew widespread criticism after attendees stated the occasion was nothing just like the marketed chocolate manufacturing unit. The expertise featured seemingly AI-generated promotional posters and AI-written scripts for its actors.
The mission is a partnership between Netflix and ElevenLabs, a generative AI platform specializing in ultra-realistic text-to-speech (TTS), voice cloning, audio era, and conversational AI brokers.
With this transfer, issues have emerged over the rising use of AI to recreate the voices of late actors, in addition to the potential lack of job alternatives and labor protections in an already struggling Hollywood job market.
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