Recently, Netflix released a new reality competition series called Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, and it features a very familiar narrator. The program uses a computer-generated recreation of the late Gene Wilder to guide contestants and explain the rules of the game. While the estate of Gene Wilder gave permission for this choice, a large number of viewers object to the decision to bring back his famous voice.
Fans point out the actor never agreed to this recreation
Gene Wilder famously played Willy Wonka in the 1971 film adaptation and passed away in 2016. The new television show, which premiered on September 23, brings him back as an audio guide. The technology behind the voice was developed by ElevenLabs, a company that builds tools to clone and generate human speech.
Karen Wilder, the widow of the actor, provided official permission on behalf of the Gene Wilder Estate. She stated the family was delighted that the new program celebrates the warmth and imagination he brought to the classic role. However, this approval did not satisfy many people watching at home.
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Fans expressed their thoughts across social media platforms like X and Reddit, with some users calling the move disgusting. One specific comment noted that Wilder himself could not have consented to this use of his voice.
The backlash highlights an ongoing debate around the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. The streaming platform already utilizes AI elements across 300 of its different shows. Meanwhile, Hollywood studios are increasingly looking to hire film school graduates who know how to work with these video generation tools.
With the final two episodes arriving on September 30, the situation shows that audiences are closely watching how modern programs handle the legacies of late actors.
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