“New stories from Pumuckl”
AI brings back voice of Hans Clarin
Pumuckl with his new champion Eder Florian Brückner.
© RTL / Boris Breuer
In “New Stories from Pumuckl” Hans Clarin, who died in 2005, speaks the goblin again – thanks to artificial intelligence.
Hans Clarin (1929-2005) speaks Pumuckl again – almost twenty years after his death. For the upcoming series “New Stories from Pumuckl”, RTL+ is reviving the voice of the actor, who died in 2005, using artificial intelligence. RTL announced this on Tuesday.
Pumuckl is played in the new series by Maxi Schafroth (38). The movements of the Bavarian cabaret artist provide the template for the goblin’s animation. Schafroth also lends his voice to the character. But artificial intelligence converts it into Hans Clarin’s characteristic way of speaking. According to RTL, this is the most extensive application of this method in the world to date.
From 1982 to 1988 Hans Clarin spoke the goblin in “Meister Eder und sein Pumuckl”. At his side, Gustl Bayrhammer (1922-1993) embodied the master carpenter.
Choice between two voices on RTL+
RTL + viewers have the choice between two voices. Once the variant with Maxi Schafroth, once the AI-based by Hans Clarin. The series will start on the streaming service at the end of the year. Later it will also run on RTL and Super RTL. With what voice, the broadcaster has not yet communicated.
“New Stories from Pumuckl” takes place in today’s Munich. The focus is on Florian Eder, the nephew of the original Meister Eder from the 80s series. He reopens his uncle’s carpentry workshop. And like his ancestor, Pumuckl is literally fooled by him.
Florian Brückner (39) plays the new master Eder. At his side, Katharina Thalbach (69) and Milan Peschel (54) are honored. The 13 episodes are directed by Marcus H. Rosenmüller (49, “Who dies earlier is dead longer”).