Netflix Utilizes AI-Generated Gene Wilder Voice in Willy Wonka Reality Show

Netflix has confirmed the September 23 premiere of Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, a reality competition inspired by Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, following the success of its Squid Game series. The show, which reimagines the fictional novel’s whimsical yet perilous challenges as real-world trials, features practical sets constructed in the UK, as seen in a new teaser trailer. However, the voiceover narrating the competition—recreating the late Gene Wilder’s iconic portrayal of Willy Wonka—is AI-generated, a detail clarified by Deadline to address speculation about the authenticity of the audio.

The AI voiceover was developed by ElevenLabs, a specialized audio company, with the approval of Wilder’s family, following Netflix’s prior collaborations to digitally recreate the voices of Michael Caine and Stan Lee. This project marks an extension of Netflix’s 2021 partnership with the Roald Dahl estate, which previously included adaptations like Matilda and James and the Giant Peach. While Wonka’s The Golden Ticket shares thematic roots with the original story, it is distinct from the upcoming Wonka film starring Timothée Chalamet, which explores the origins of the eccentric chocolatier. The Verge reports further details on the production’s blend of nostalgia and modern technology.