The Johnny Depp comeback is officially in full swing. The actor, who has not appeared in a major studio film since 2018’s “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” amid an acrimonious public divorce and subsequent defamation trial with Amber Heard, might have lined up his biggest role in years.
IndieWire can confirm that Depp is attached to play the titular role in “Ebeneezer: A Christmas Carol,” an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, this one hailing from director Ti West. Paramount is in talks to acquire the package, with Andrea Riseborough also attached to star.
News of the project was first reported by Deadline.
This means that there are now two major film adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” in development in Hollywood — and both hail from directors who launched their careers in horror movies. Robert Eggers is working on his own take on the Dickens novel at Warner Bros., a natural fit given his Gothic sensibilities and newfound niche as a purveyor of adult Holiday counter-programming. No talent is attached to that film, though inevitable speculation about Eggers’ frequent collaborator Willem Dafoe playing Scrooge began immediately after the project was announced.
“Ebeneezer: A Christmas Carol” is reportedly targeting a November 2026 release, which would almost certainly mean it would beat the Warner Bros. movie to the punch. It remains to be seen whether this will affect the status of Eggers’ film — or if Paramount’s attempts to acquire Warner Bros. will make the film redundant.
It is also the latest evidence that Hollywood is ready to embrace Depp again. While the actor continued to steadily work in fashion advertising campaigns and small European films as his reputation tanked in America, more mainstream projects are beginning to materialize. He’ll next be seen in Marc Webb’s Lionsgate thriller “Day Drinker” alongside Penélope Cruz and Madelyn Cline, which marks his return to studio leading man status.
His frequent collaborator Tim Burton also teased more work with Depp, telling IndieWire “I’m sure there will be” when asked making more films with his “Edward Scissorhands” star. And there are always rumors circulating about a return to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.