Gene Wilder's voice to be replicated using AI for new series
A new Willy Wonka series that's set to feature an AI 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.
Netflix 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 Roald Dahl 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 Morgan Freeman previously blasting it was 'robbery.'
A new Willy Wonka series that's set to feature an AI version of Gene Wilder's voice has sparked backlash from fans
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.
Netflix 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
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'
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.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
