Netflix recreates Gene Wilder's voice with AI for a game show, sparking strong reactions from…

Netflix has partnered with AI firm ElevenLabs to synthesize the voice of the late actor Gene Wilder for the competition show Wonka's The Golden Ticket. The project, developed in collaboration with the Roald Dahl Story Company and Wilder's heirs, features an AI-generated imitation of the actor's performance from the 1971 film.

What happened

The show's trailer, which premiered ahead of the September 23 launch, utilized voice cloning technology to replicate Wilder, who passed away in 2016. While Karen B. Wilder noted that the actor's work remains an inspiration, the public response was largely negative. Fans took to social media to criticize the synthetic performance, arguing that the AI-generated voice lacks the emotion, soul, and depth of the original actor.

Many viewers expressed that the use of artificial intelligence in this context is disrespectful to Wilder’s legacy. Critics specifically referenced the actor's past statements regarding his retirement, noting that he had distanced himself from filmmaking to avoid participating in productions he felt were devoid of substance. The controversy surrounding this use of technology highlights a broader ongoing debate regarding the digital resurrection of deceased performers. Similar instances of using AI to recreate the voices or appearances of late actors have previously occurred in the cases of Carrie Fisher, Harold Ramis, and Paul Walker. Despite the criticism, the production continues to move forward, with the show also featuring the return of actor Rusty Goffe as an Oompa Loompa.