Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

highplainsdem

(63,791 posts)

9. From Consequence:

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Tue Jun 30, 2026, 06:04 PM

22 hrs ago

https://consequence.net/2026/06/gene-wilder-willy-wonka-game-show-netflix/

Seriously, there’s no reason to play around with digital corpses like this. No one watching at home will be confused as to why Gene Wilder isn’t an active presence in a Willy Wonka game show; he’s got a very good excuse for passing on the opportunity. Just get a human to do it. A living one. Literally anyone. A man, a woman, an Oompa Loompa… Hell, put James Corden in a velvet top hat. I’d actually rather watch that.

-snip-

Wilder passed away in 2016, following a lengthy retirement from acting spent writing books — while alive, he never delved into hosting, beyond a stint as a guest programmer for TCM in 2014 and an appearance on Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? in 1992. (I very much would like to find a clip of the latter, if anyone out there has any suggestions.) As a comedian, even in his most unhinged moments, he always carried himself with dignity. This is not that.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

22 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

This is grotesque. Netflix is using an AI clone of the late Gene Wilder's voice to host a new reality series. [View all] highplainsdem Yesterday OP

Hopefully... 2naSalit Yesterday #1

Was this done in cooperation with Gene Wilder's estate? cab67 Yesterday #2

From the OP TheProle Yesterday #3

That wasn't generative AI, which didn't exist when that film was made. AI voice generators, like highplainsdem Yesterday #7

They are not 'trained'... Ohio Joe 20 hrs ago #18

They are trained. That's the term used. highplainsdem 20 hrs ago #19

Words have meanings... And you are being lied to... Ohio Joe 15 hrs ago #22

so if the wilder estate is good with it then ... ? good for them, i guess orleans Yesterday #4

Your opinion counts as far as whether it's ethical. IMO it's unethical. It harms all actors if AI replacement highplainsdem Yesterday #5

well, if you want to talk about AI ethics then i agree with everything you said orleans 19 hrs ago #20

I hate seeing creatives in one field using AI that rips off creatives in another field, too. The excuses highplainsdem 19 hrs ago #21

my approval or disapproval would depend heavily on context. cab67 Yesterday #6

johnny depp played willy wonka in a remake back in 2005. i liked johnny depp but i remember hearing orleans 20 hrs ago #17

It's not a very good recreation of his voice. imo. spanone 23 hrs ago #8

I agree. highplainsdem 22 hrs ago #14

It isn't. chowder66 21 hrs ago #16

From Consequence: highplainsdem 22 hrs ago #9

It is grotesque. Kid Berwyn 22 hrs ago #10

It's important to resist it. To make it clear AI's pretense of creativity and humanity will never be acceptable. highplainsdem 22 hrs ago #15

From Vulture (New York magazine): highplainsdem 22 hrs ago #11

The Independent: Netflix faces backlash over AI-recreated Gene Wilder voice for new Willy Wonka competition series highplainsdem 22 hrs ago #12

And Lance Ulanoff, editor of TechRadar and an AI fan, says this misuse of AI "broke" him: highplainsdem 22 hrs ago #13