The Johnny Depp’s 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 a bitter public divorce and subsequent defamation trial with Amber Heard, may have scored his biggest role in years.
IndieWire can confirm that Depp is attached to star in “Ebeneezer: A Christmas Carol,” an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, this one from the director You 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.
That means it exists now two major movie adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” in development in Hollywood – and both come from directors who started their careers in horror films. Robert Eggers works on his own idea on the Dickens novel at Warner Bros., a natural fit given his Gothic sensibility and newfound niche as a purveyor of adult-to-holiday counterprogramming. No talent is attached to that film, though inevitable speculation about Egger’s 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. film to the top. Whether or not this will affect the status of Egger’s film remains to be seen Paramount’s attempt to acquire Warner Bros. will render the film redundant.
It’s also the latest proof that Hollywood is ready to embrace Depp again. While the actor steadily continued to work in fashion advertising campaigns and small European films as his reputation waned in America, more mainstream projects are beginning to materialize. He will next be seen in Marc Webb’s Lionsgate thriller “Day Drinker” alongside Penélope Cruz and Madelyn Cline, marking his return to leading man status at the studio.
His frequent collaborators Tim Burton also teased more work with Depptells IndieWire “I’m sure there will be” when asked about making more movies with his “Edward Scissorhands” star. And there is always rumors circulate about a return to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series.
