Netflix's latest venture, Willy Wonka's The Golden Ticket, seeks to recreate the magic of Gene Wilder’s iconic role—but with an AI-generated voice that has left some fans cold.

The decision to use artificial intelligence to replicate Wilder’s distinctive and beloved voice has drawn criticism from those who feel it’s a step too far. One commentator quipped, “In the end, it still sounds like every robotic AI voice you have heard.”

Despite Wilder’s wife Karen B. Wilder voicing her support for the series as an ode to his enduring imagination, the backlash has been significant. Some fans likened it to the infamous ‘Willy’s Chocolate Experience’ event in Glasgow, which failed spectacularly in 2024.

Netflix explains that the show aims to capture the essence of Roald Dahl's classic story, with contestants facing a series of challenges inspired by Wonka himself. However, this move is part of a broader trend where studios are exploring the boundaries of AI in recreating beloved voices and characters.

The debate around AI voice synthesis highlights how audiences react to such innovations, with some accepting it as a neat trick and others viewing it as an unwelcome replacement for something authentically human.