As the entertainment industry continues to debate the ethics of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, creators are increasingly utilizing AI and computer-generated imagery to bring the likenesses and voices of deceased actors back to the screen.
Among the most notable recent projects, Netflix’s Wonka’s The Golden Ticket is narrated by an artificial intelligence trained on the voice of Gene Wilder, who originally played Willy Wonka in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Wilder, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 83 from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease, was selected as the top choice to serve as the series’ omnipresent host. Showrunner Alison Holloway noted in September 2026 that the late actor was considered the only appropriate choice for the role. The production team secured permission from Wilder’s widow, Karen Boyer, to recreate his voice for the series.
In addition to the Netflix series, the late Val Kilmer, who died in 2025, is set to appear in the film As Deep as the Grave using state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence. Kilmer had originally been cast in the movie but was unable to perform due to illness.
Writer and director Coerte Voorhees received permission from the late actor’s estate to recreate his likeness by drawing on younger images of Kilmer as well as footage from his final years to depict various life stages.
The filmmaker stated in March 2026 that the role was specifically designed around Kilmer, incorporating his Native American heritage and his affinity for the Southwest. Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, subsequently defended the AI-assisted performance during an April 2026 appearance on the television program Today.
Hollywood Franchises Use Digital Effects to Recreate Deceased Performers
The practice of utilizing advanced digital effects and artificial intelligence to recreate deceased performers has a growing precedent across major Hollywood franchises.
In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, director J.J. Abrams incorporated previously unreleased footage of Carrie Fisher to keep her character, General Leia, in the story following her death in 2016 at age 60. Visual effects altered her costume, and her daughter, Billie Lourd, served as a body double for select scenes.
Similar techniques were previously employed in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which featured digital recreations of a younger Carrie Fisher and Peter Cushing. In that film, digital versions of the actors’ faces were mapped onto performers Ingvild Deila and Guy Henry. Cushing had died in 1994, while Fisher was still alive during production.
Similarly, in Alien: Romulus, actor Daniel Betts performed the physical role of the android Rook on set, while AI and digital effects were used to recreate the likeness and voice of late actor Ian Holm, who died in 2020 at age 88 with the consent of his family.
While some productions embrace these technological solutions with the blessing of actors’ families, other filmmakers deliberately avoid them. Following the announcement of a Dirty Dancing sequel, producer Nina Jacobson assured audiences that artificial intelligence would not be employed to resurrect Patrick Swayze, emphasizing the importance of allowing viewers to mourn the actor naturally.