One of Hollywood’s biggest stars is set to make a major comeback with his interpretation of a classic character. On Thursday, it was announced that “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp would star in next year’s “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol,” a Paramount production.
Depp will play the titular role of Ebenezer Scrooge, the cantankerous miser who is visited by the three ghosts of Christmas in the classic Charles Dickens novel. The film will also star Academy Award nominee Andrea Riseborough, and it will be directed by Ti West.
West is best known for “X,” “Pearl” and “Maxxxine,” will be one of two upcoming films based on the classic novel. “Northman” and “Nosferatu” director Robert Eggers has committed to his own retelling of the legendary story, with longtime collaborator Willem Dafoe tapped to star.
West’s version is described by Deadline as “a thrilling ghost story” that ” follows one man’s supernatural journey to face his past, present and future and fight for a second chance.” “Ebenezer” will mark his debut with a major film studio, following his work on the X trilogy with A24.
The upcoming film will mark one of Depp’s most notable roles since his highly-publicized defamation trial in 2022. Following his victory in that case, Depp has also worked on the upcoming film “Day Drinker” opposite Penelope Cruz.
Depp’s Major Film Return
Depp’s last major film roles were 2019’s “Waiting for the Barbarians” and 2018’s “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” In the latter, he played the dark wizard Gellert Grindewald – the film’s titular character and main antagonist.
Depp’s return to major roles could also potentially result in his return to other popular film series he’s worked on in the past. Once one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, Depp rose to superstardom for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies.
A sixth Pirates of the Caribbean movie is also being worked on, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer has said that it will likely feature both returning cast members and new faces. Depp’s involvement, as well as other cast favorites like Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley has yet to be determined.
For now, fans will have the upcoming holiday film to look forward to. “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol” will be in theaters in time for Christmas 2026, as the film is currently set to release on November 13, 2026.
We’ll see if it kick starts a new career resurgence for Depp as he makes his way back to roles in major motion pictures.
