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highplainsdem

(63,802 posts)

23. From NME: Willy Wonka fans appalled by "ghoulish" Gene Wilder AI narration: "This is pure evil"

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Wed Jul 1, 2026, 11:04 PM

15 hrs ago

https://www.nme.com/news/tv/willy-wonka-fans-appalled-by-ghoulish-gene-wilder-ai-narration-this-is-pure-evil-3954364

The beloved actor is remembered as the definitive portrayal of the character for many. Wilder died in 2016, but his wife has granted the show permission to use an AI recreation of his voice for the series. Amid the ongoing debate about AI in entertainment, many users on X (formerly Twitter) have reacted negatively to the move.

“Fucking Sick. and I don’t mean that as a compliment,” wrote one person online. “Gene Wilder is GONE and so is his magic. This is pure evil to use his memory with AI crap. Netflix has reached all time LOWS.”

Many questioned the ethical implications of using a deceased actor in such a way. “I would rather Netflix let Gene Wilder rest instead of turning him into AI slop,” wrote one user, while another added: “Netflix treating a dead man’s voice like free stock footage just shows how fast they’ll gut any legacy for another cash grab instead of making something original.”

Other posts described it as both “ghoulish” and “dystopian”, with calls to “let the man rest”.

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Crunchy Frog

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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 Tuesday OP

Hopefully... 2naSalit Tuesday #1

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

From the OP TheProle Tuesday #3

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

They are not 'trained'... Ohio Joe Tuesday #18

They are trained. That's the term used. highplainsdem Tuesday #19

Words have meanings... And you are being lied to... Ohio Joe Yesterday #22

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I agree. highplainsdem Tuesday #14

It isn't. chowder66 Tuesday #16

From Consequence: highplainsdem Tuesday #9

It is grotesque. Kid Berwyn Tuesday #10

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

From Vulture (New York magazine): highplainsdem Tuesday #11

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

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

From NME: Willy Wonka fans appalled by "ghoulish" Gene Wilder AI narration: "This is pure evil" highplainsdem 15 hrs ago #23