Netflix’s Willy Wonka Reality Show Brings Gene Wilder’s Voice Back With AI

Netflix has released the official trailer for Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, offering the biggest look yet at its new reality competition inspired by the world of Willy Wonka, complete with an AI recreation of Gene Wilder’s voice.

Launching on Netflix on September 23, the nine episode series sends 12 Golden Ticket winners and their chosen partners inside a recreation of Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, where they will face a series of games, tests and temptations.

The challenges are designed to test contestants physically, mentally and morally as they make their way through the factory, with only one eventually claiming what Netflix describes as Wonka’s life changing prize. The final two episodes are set to arrive on September 30.

The new trailer leans heavily into the imagery associated with the classic 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Contestants are surrounded by huge sweets, colourful factory sets and Oompa Loompas, while familiar ideas including lickable wallpaper and WonkaVision are recreated for the competition.

There is also a direct connection to the original film through Rusty Goffe, who appeared as an Oompa Loompa in the 1971 movie and returns for the Netflix series.

However, one of the most significant elements of the production is something viewers will hear rather than see.

Netflix has worked with AI audio company ElevenLabs to recreate the voice of Gene Wilder, who played Willy Wonka in the 1971 film and died in 2016. The recreated voice is being used with the consent of Wilder’s estate and forms part of the show’s connection to his version of the character.

Karen B. Wilder, Gene’s wife, has publicly backed the project on behalf of his estate, saying his performance continues to bring “joy, laughter and inspiration” to audiences more than five decades later.

She added: “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 honoring the fans who have cherished it for decades.”

The decision is another example of AI becoming increasingly visible within mainstream entertainment, particularly when technology is used to recreate the voices or performances of people who have died. In this case, Netflix has made clear that Wilder’s estate gave its permission for the recreation.

The competition itself was produced by Eureka Productions and filmed in Australia. Netflix describes it as a high stakes social experiment in which contestants will need to adapt, strategise and prove they can handle the increasingly unpredictable world inside Wonka’s factory.

The official trailer can be watched below

Wonka’s The Golden Ticket premieres on Netflix on September 23, with the two part finale following on September 30. Watch the official trailer below. Images: Netflix.