Since his very public trial with ex-wife Amber Heard, Johnny Depp has been ever so slightly making his return to the movies. A festival movie here, a supporting role there, but now Paramount Pictures has decided this is the time to bring him back to the type of major films that made him famous in the first place. The studio just hired Depp to play Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol from director Ti West.
West, best known for horror movies like Pearl, The Innkeepers, and The Sacrament, will stay in that genre with this take. According to Deadline, the film is a “thrilling ghost story set in [Charles] Dickens’ London, following one man’s supernatural journey to face his past, present, and future and fight for a second chance.” Andrea Riseborough will also be part of the cast, and a release date is set for November 13, 2026.
Before we get to the whole Johnny Depp of it all, it’s also interesting to note that this is the second Christmas Carol adaptation currently in the works. Robert Eggers may still make his own version with Willem Dafoe, but with Eggers currently working on his werewolf movie set for release in 2026, this version will make it to theaters first.
Depp was one of the biggest, most beloved stars in the entire world before he entered a lawsuit with his ex-wife over alleged abuse. He sued her, she sued him back, and eventually Depp won that case and was awarded $15 million. However, the star’s previous bankability certainly appeared to be damaged by the constant press coverage, allegations, and revelations. He lost his role in the Fantastic Beasts series, for example. But with smaller films like Minamata and Jeanne du Barry, Depp started to dip his toe back into Hollywood. Conversations then began to heat up about a potential return to Pirates of the Caribbean, but now, as the lead in this major holiday release, we’ll finally get to see if the public still loves Depp now as much as they have in the past.
As for West, it kind of sucks that what will surely be his biggest movie ever almost instantly has this question mark over it. He’s a fantastic director with a very distinct, cool, clear vision. We’re much, much more excited about his take on A Christmas Carol than whoever is starring in it.
What are you thinking about this Johnny Depp-starring Ti West adaptation? Let us know below.
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