Story perspectives

Netflix Uses AI to Clone Gene Wilder Voice

7/3/2026

Summary

Netflix Synthesizes Wilder

Netflix partnered with ElevenLabs to generate a synthetic Gene Wilder voice for the Wonka Golden Ticket segment debuting September 23.
The AI narration will accompany Rusty Goffe, who returns as an Oompa Loompa.
Widow Karen B. Wilder approved the synthetic voice, though fans called it unethical.
Legal scholars note that no U.S. federal right-of-publicity law covers post-mortem AI voice cloning, making estate consent decisive.

Summary

Netflix Launches Wonka

Netflix is partnering with Eureka Productions to launch “Wonka’s The Golden Ticket,” its first reality competition based on a classic film franchise.
The series will debut on September 23, 2026, putting Netflix in competition with formats like Squid Game: The Challenge.
A full-scale chocolate-river set has been built, showing a sizable budget for an immersive experience.
Netflix hopes the 1971 Willy Wonka IP will draw multigenerational viewers and boost retention.

History

Historical Context

In 1985 California passed the Celebrities Rights Act, giving a deceased person’s name, voice, or likeness a post-mortem publicity right. The law was expanded in 1999 to protect those rights for 70 years, and courts have since required estates’ consent for commercial uses. Netflix’s partnership with ElevenLabs to recreate Gene Wilder’s voice therefore hinges on the Wilder estate’s approval under this framework.

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Netflix Synthesizes Wilder

Netflix partnered with ElevenLabs to generate a synthetic Gene Wilder voice for the Wonka Golden Ticket segment debuting September 23.
The AI narration will accompany Rusty Goffe, who returns as an Oompa Loompa.
Widow Karen B. Wilder approved the synthetic voice, though fans called it unethical.
Legal scholars note that no U.S. federal right-of-publicity law covers post-mortem AI voice cloning, making estate consent decisive.

1 / 3