SUMMARY
- Johnny Depp appeared in character as Ebenezer Scrooge at San Diego Comic-Con before the first trailer premiered.
- Director Ti West reimagines Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol as a gothic supernatural drama.
- The film features Rupert Grint, Daisy Ridley, Ian McKellen and Andrea Riseborough, with a theatrical release set for Nov. 13.
Johnny Depp has revealed his first on-screen portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a gothic retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story directed by Ti West.
The trailer was released shortly after Depp made an unannounced appearance at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23.
Remaining fully in character, the actor greeted fans as Scrooge, responding to well wishers with the character’s trademark gloomy attitude before ending with the familiar phrase, “Humbug.”
The footage shows Depp nearly unrecognizable beneath heavy makeup and gray facial hair as he walks through snow-covered Victorian London.
The trailer follows Scrooge confronting the supernatural spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future while struggling with memories from his life.
The cast also includes Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit, Daisy Ridley as Emily Cratchit, Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Tramell Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol was first announced in October 2025. According to previously released plot details, the film follows Scrooge’s supernatural journey through his past, present and future as he confronts the possibility of redemption.
First published in 1843, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol remains one of the world’s most adapted literary works.
Over the decades, actors including Michael Caine, Jim Carrey and Alastair Sim have portrayed Scrooge, while Bill Murray headlined the modern-inspired adaptation Scrooged.
In April, Depp described the project as “very special,” saying he had been fascinated by the story since childhood.
The newly released trailer provides audiences with their first extended look at Depp’s performance and Ti West’s darker interpretation of the classic tale.
The Comic-Con appearance also marked one of Depp’s highest profile promotional events in recent years. The film represents his first major Hollywood studio release since Waiting for the Barbarians in 2019.
The film reunites Depp with a major studio production while offering audiences a fresh interpretation of one of literature’s most enduring holiday stories.
Fans also received their first opportunity to see how Ti West blends gothic horror elements with Dickens’ classic narrative.
Rather than presenting a traditional family holiday adaptation, the trailer emphasizes suspense, supernatural imagery and psychological tension.
That approach aligns with director Ti West’s previous work in horror films such as Pearl and X, while remaining rooted in Dickens’ original ghost story.
Paramount Pictures plans to release Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol exclusively in theaters on Nov. 13. The production brings together established performers from major franchises, including Harry Potter, Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings, alongside Depp in the lead role.
TABLE
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film | Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol |
| Lead Actor | Johnny Depp |
| Director | Ti West |
| Release Date | Nov. 13 |
| Studio | Paramount Pictures |
| Original Novel | A Christmas Carol (1843) |
| Comic-Con Appearance | July 23, San Diego Comic-Con |
Ian McKellen praised Depp’s work during filming, describing him as “effervescent, funny, irreverent” and saying the actor created “a wonderful feeling on the set.” McKellen also said working with Depp was “a bit of a love fest.”
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is scheduled to open in theaters on Nov. 13. Paramount Pictures has released the first trailer following Depp’s Comic-Con appearance as promotional activities continue ahead of the film’s release.
1. When will Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol be released?
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on Nov. 13 through Paramount Pictures.
2. Who stars alongside Johnny Depp in the film?
The cast includes Rupert Grint, Daisy Ridley, Ian McKellen, Andrea Riseborough and Tramell Tillman.
3. Why was Johnny Depp’s Comic-Con appearance significant?
Depp surprised attendees by appearing in full costume as Ebenezer Scrooge, staying in character while promoting the film before the first trailer was released.
SOURCE:
Entertainment Weekly
The Hollywood Reporter
