Johnny Depp is returning to a major Hollywood studio. He confirmed his attachment to star as the iconic miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, in a new film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novella. Paramount Pictures is developing the project, titled Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol. Ti West will direct the film; he is known for his modern horror trilogy: X, Pearl, and MaXXXine.
A Thrilling Ghost Story
The studio calls this oft-told tale “a thrilling ghost story set in Dickens’ London.” It follows one man’s supernatural journey. He must face his past, present, and future to fight for a second chance. The combination of Depp’s signature intensity and West’s reputation for dark thrillers suggests a moodier, more suspenseful take on the redemption narrative.
This new film marks a major career milestone for Johnny Depp. He lands his first feature role for a prominent American studio since his high-profile defamation trial concluded in 2022. He has starred in smaller, independent projects like Day Drinker and the French biopic Jeanne du Barry, but this film ensures his most high-profile return to mainstream Hollywood cinema.
Release Date and Other Cast Details
Paramount plans a theatrical release for Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol on November 13, 2026. Nathaniel Halpern wrote the script; he is known for his work on the science fiction series Tales From the Loop. Academy Award nominee Andrea Riseborough will also co-star alongside Depp in an undisclosed role.
Interestingly, this is not the only high-profile, dark adaptation of the Christmas story currently in the works. Acclaimed director Robert Eggers (Nosferatu) is developing his own A Christmas Carol for Warner Bros. Reports suggest Willem Dafoe will star. Two moody, high-concept adaptations are in simultaneous production, meaning audiences will see a darker side of the festive classic.
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