Thanks to AI: Pumuckl is back with the voice of Hans Clarin
Hurray, hurray - artificial intelligence is here! Pumuckl returns to the screen - with the well-known voice of the late Hans Clarin.
A crazy idea or simply brilliant? Voice actor Hans Clarin died in 2005, but his voice will forever be associated with Pumuckl: He voiced the red-haired goblin in the 80s animated series . Now RTL+ and Super RTL are planning new episodes. In the first 13 episodes, it will sound as if Pumuckl's voice comes from Hans Clarin again - made possible by artificial intelligence.
You have the choice: AI or real voice
How will this work? According to RTL, Pumuckl's part is first recorded by cabaret artist Maximilian Schafroth. His voice is then audio-transformed into the distinctive dialect of Hans Clarin. Viewers will also have the opportunity to choose between the version with Schafroth's voice and the AI-generated version, the TV channel announces.
A success story never ends
In the 1980s, "Meister Eder und sein Pumuckl" was one of the most popular children's series in Germany. The stories about the red-haired goblin are still legendary today.
"Neue Geschichten vom Pumuckl" is set to air on RTL+, RTL and Super RTL from the end of 2023, with the series premiering on 24 June 2023 at the Kinderfilmfest in Munich. Together with Master Eder's nephew Florian Eder (voiced by Florian Brückner), Pumuckl experiences adventures in a Munich that has changed a lot in the past 30 years. According to RTL, this is the first time that a voice has been recreated using artificial intelligence - the media company has not yet revealed exactly how the process works.
Pumuckl comes back to television
What do you think of the new edition of the goblin stories?
- I will definitely have a look.79%
- There is only one Master Eder. That can only be bad.21%
- Pu...what?0%
The competition has ended.
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A true local journalist with a secret soft spot for German pop music. Mum of two boys, a dog and about 400 toy cars in all shapes and colours. I always enjoy travelling, reading and go to concerts, too.