Netflix’s upcoming Wonka’s The Golden Ticket is using AI audio to evoke one of cinema’s most iconic performances: Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka. According to reports, the voiceover in the teaser trailer was created with AI audio company ElevenLabs and with consent from Wilder’s family.
The creative use of AI here points to a promising model for entertainment: honoring beloved cultural figures while involving rights holders and families in the process. Rather than replacing a performer without permission, this example shows how generative tools can be used as part of a licensed, collaborative production workflow.
Why it matters
AI-generated voices have raised major questions across Hollywood and the broader creative industry. Projects like this demonstrate that the technology can be used more responsibly when consent, transparency, and creative intent are built in from the start.
- Creative continuity: AI can help reconnect audiences with familiar characters and voices.
- Consent-based production: Family approval helps set a better standard for legacy voice recreation.
- Real-world deployment: The technology is being used in a mainstream Netflix release, not just a lab demo.