Another star falls victim to the AI takeover: Fans blast Netflix for 'ruining one of their favourite movies' as Gene Wilder's voice is resurrected for new Willy Wonka series

A new Willy Wonka series that's set to feature an version of Gene Wilder's voice has sparked backlash from fans.

The actor passed away in 2016 at the age of 83, with one of his most iconic roles being as the kooky chocolatier in the 1971 classic film.

have joined forces with AI audio firm ElevenLabs to recreate Gene's voice to feature in the streamer's new reality series Wonka's The Golden Ticket.

The show sees 12 'Golden Ticket winners' enter a version of Wonka's iconic Chocolate Factory to complete a series of games inspired by the famous film and book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Gene's estate have given their blessing for the actor's voice to be replicated using AI for the show, mirroring similar creations of stars including Judy Garland and Burt Reynolds.

In recent years, a growing reliance on cost-effective AI technology to accurately replicate famous acting voices has cost many stars valuable work, with previously blasting it was 'robbery.'

In a statement shared with Variety, Karen B. Wilder, Gene's wife, said: 'More than five decades after Gene brought Willy Wonka to life, people of all ages and backgrounds around the world continue to find joy, laughter and inspiration in his performance.

'Gene had a remarkable ability to bring humor, wonder and heart into people's lives, and that connection has endured for generations. 

'We are delighted that Wonka's The Golden Ticket celebrates the warmth and imagination that he brought to the role, introducing that magic to a new generation while honouring the fans who have cherished it for decades.'

Following the release of the trailer for the series, fans have blasted the move to recreate Gene's voice, and blasted Netflix for 'ruining their favourite movies.'

They wrote on X 'It almost sounds like Gene Wilder, but not really and is a plastic substitute that people will eat up because the robots have made them stupid, This is an obscenity;

'Ain't no way they ruining one of my favourite movies of all time with a show and an AI Gene Wilder;

'I'm sure Gene Wilder who died 10 years ago gave his permission to use his voice for AI slop.'

This is far from the first time that AI has been used in the Hollywood industry, as in April it was revealed that former Batman star Val Kilmer would be recreated using the methods for the film As Deep As The Grave.

While many stars have rallied against the use of AI actors in movie roles, the decision was made with the blessing of Kilmer's estate and his two children Mercedes and Jack, who provided younger images and footage of his final years to help with the AI rendering.

Concerns around the rise in AI led The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) to go on strike in 2023.

As SAG president Fran Drescher noted when announcing the guild's decision to strike, AI had already begun to make an impact on showbusiness.

This sentiment was immediately backed up by lower paid performers who claimed they had started getting their likeness 'scanned' on sets without much explanation about what could be done with it in the future.