Gene Wilder’s family statement as new Netflix Wonka series uses AI recreation of dead actor

Netflix’s new reality series, Wonka’s Golden Ticket, has been blasted by fans after it used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to recreate the voice of late actor Gene Wilder.

American icon Wilder, who died in August 2016, is best known for appearing as the titular character in Mel Stuart’s children’s flick, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the musical fantasy film depicts confectionery king Willy Wonka opening his factory to a select few children who unwrapped golden tickets from chocolate bars.

Despite his death occurring more than a decade ago, Wilder surprisingly plays a key part in Netflix’s new competition show, *Wonka’s Golden Ticket—*he’s been cast as the host.

The new programme sees pairs entering a ‘real-life’ version of Wonka’s chocolate factory to vie for a ‘lifetime supply of money’.

Gene Wilde (left) portrayed Willy Wonka in the 1971 flick (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

USA Today wrote that Netflix has utilised AI to make Wilder, one of the ‘greatest actors of a generation’, a ‘soulless, faceless reality TV host’.

“The voice of Gene Wilder, zombified and stripped of the man who made generations laugh and gasp, is narrating a reality show,” the publication wrote.

Fans have also had their say, with one viral tweet stating: “Gene Wilder died in 2016 and never, ever gave permission for his voice to be used in AI like this. I am so much angrier than I should be.”

Someone else described it as a ‘ghoulish misuse of AI’.

Gene Wilder’s wife lends support to AI voice recreation

Prior to the backlash, Wilder’s fourth wife, Karen Boyer Wilder, defended the ElevenLabs recreation of the legendary actor’s voice.

Wilder's fourth wife, Karen Boyer, previously supported the decision to use her husband's voice (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

“More than five decades after Gene brought Willy Wonka to life, people of all ages and backgrounds around the world continue to find joy, laughter and inspiration in his performance,” said Wilder’s widow in June.

“Gene had a remarkable ability to bring humour, wonder and heart into people’s lives, and that connection has endured for generations.”

She continued, adding: “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 honouring the fans who have cherished it for decades.”

Original Oompa Loompa calls AI Wilder ‘magical’ moment

An original Oompa Loompa who worked on Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory has also praised the AI voice recreation.

Rusty Goffe came out of retirement for the new Netflix show (Netflix)

Rusty Goffe, who came out of retirement to appear on Netflix’s The Golden Ticket, told the BBC that hearing Wilder’s voice again was ‘magical’.

“I thought, sometimes, he was on the set behind me. It was perfect, because he is Willy Wonka, he really is. Working with him was excellent. He was a lovely guy. Nice, kind, funny. He was brilliant.

"Gene Wilder is Willy Wonka. There's no other person that could do it,” Goffe added.

All episodes of Wonka’s Golden Ticket season one **are now streaming on Netflix.