For decades, fans have watched the 1971 classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and dreamed of going on Charlie’s journey. Getting a Golden Ticket. Touring the factory. Hopefully not dying. And, this year, Netflix gave 12 people that actual chance, with one glaring asterisk.
First announced in 2025, Wonka’s The Golden Ticket is a reality game show based on the iconic film starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. And while that sounds (and, from the trailer, looks) kind of awesome, it’s more than a little off-putting that it recreated the voice of Gene Wilder for the show, even if it was done with the full consent of the Wilder estate. Here’s the trailer.
On the one hand, this literally looks like a dream come true. The production design is stunning, and the chance to walk in Charlie Bucket’s and Grandpa Joe’s footsteps seems magical. But also, why do we need Gene Wilder’s voice? It barely even sounds like him! Well, here’s Wilder’s wife weighing in.
“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,” Karen B. Wilder, Gene Wilder’s wife, said on behalf of the Gene Wilder Estate. “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 honoring the fans who have cherished it for decades.”
Honestly, that makes it a little bit better. And we’re all for the Wilder estate making whatever money they can from Gene’s incredible career. It just would have been so much easier for Netflix to not do this. To simply avoid the controversy. Get an impersonator! Pay the estate anyway! Done and done.
Nevertheless, if shows like Squid Game: The Challenge and Beast Games are any indication, we’d imagine this is going to be a big hit for Netflix when it debuts on September 23. Here’s more from the press release.
“Twelve lucky Golden Ticket winners, each with a partner of their choosing, will step through the gates of Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and into a world of pure imagination, delicious mischief, and unexpected challenges,” Netflix says. “Once inside, contestants must navigate a series of Wonka’s games, tests, and temptations designed to challenge them physically, mentally, and morally. In this high-stakes social experiment, players will journey through the factory’s wondrous and unpredictable landscape, adapting, strategizing, and withstanding the unknown while proving they have the instincts, resilience, and character to thrive in chaos. In the end, only one contestant will have what it takes to earn Wonka’s life-changing prize.”
The show debuts on September 23 and ends with a two-part finale on September 30.
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