More than 50 years after Gene Wilder first charmed audiences as Willy Wonka, his unmistakable voice is returning in an unexpected way. Netflix has released the first teaser for Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, a new reality competition series inspired by Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. While the colorful sets and chocolate-filled challenges have already caught attention, it’s Wilder’s recreated voice that has become the biggest talking point. The streaming giant confirmed that it partnered with AI company ElevenLabs to digitally recreate the late actor’s voice after receiving approval from Gene Wilder’s estate. The AI-generated narration will guide contestants throughout the competition, bringing back one of cinema’s most beloved characters for a new generation.
The series will feature 12 lucky Golden Ticket winners, each accompanied by a guest, competing in a series of physical, mental and moral challenges inspired by Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the 1971 film adaptation. Contestants will navigate elaborate sets modeled after the classic movie while facing puzzles, temptations and games designed to test more than just their problem-solving skills.
Gene Wilder’s wife, Karen Wilder, expressed her support for the project in a statement released alongside the announcement.
She said that people across generations continue to find joy, humor and inspiration in Wilder’s performance as Willy Wonka, adding that the family is delighted to see his legacy introduced to a new audience while respecting longtime fans of the original film.
Netflix acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company in 2021, giving the streamer access to the author’s iconic literary universe. Wonka’s The Golden Ticket marks one of the studio’s most ambitious expansions of the franchise, blending reality television with one of the most recognizable fantasy worlds in film history.
The announcement has also reignited a broader conversation about artificial intelligence in entertainment. While some fans have welcomed the estate-approved tribute as a respectful way to preserve Wilder’s legacy, others have questioned whether AI should be used to recreate the voices of actors who are no longer alive, even with family consent.
Executive producers Chris Culvenor, Paul Franklin, Rikkie Proost, David Tibballs, Alison Holloway and Emer Harkin are behind the series, which is produced by Eureka Productions.
Wonka’s The Golden Ticket is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 23, giving audiences their first chance to hear Gene Wilder’s iconic voice brought back through AI in an official production.