Johnny Depp To Star In ‘Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol’

Deadline ^ | October 2025 | Justin Kroll

[CondoleezzaProtege]

In another big and bold move from the new Paramount regime following the Skydance merger, the studio is in final negotiations to board Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, with Johnny Depp set to star and Ti West on board to direct. Andrea Riseborough has also signed on, with the studio dating the film for November 13, 2026. Nathaniel Halpern penned the script with Emma Watts producing.

The classic Charles Dickens story has seen its fair share of retellings over the years with its tale of an elderly miser visited by the ghost of his former business partner and the spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come. This also marks the second Christmas Carol pic announced this year after Warner Bros. also put in development an adaptation from Robert Eggers with Willem Dafoe in line to play Scrooge.

This version, a thrilling ghost story set in Dickens’ London, follows one man’s supernatural journey to face his past, present and future and fight for a second chance.

As for Depp, this marks one of his biggest roles in some time following his defamation-lawsuit victory in 2022. Since then the industry has begun opening its doors to him; he recently wrapped production on the Lionsgate pic Day Drinker opposite Penélope Cruz. The role of Scrooge falls right in Depp’s wheelhouse after making of career of creating wild and bold characters from Captain Jack Sparrow and the Mad Hatter to Ichabod Crane and Willy Wonka.

[jimfree]

Sim is the one. But there have been many fine portrayals.

[Maris Crane]

Agreed!!! It’s as though Dickens knew Sim when he wrote his Christmas story.

And I think Scott WAS General Patton

[mewzilla]

I like Albert Finey in the musical, Scrooge, and Alastair Sim in the '51 version.

[DFG]

Alastair Sim was the best Scrooge followed by George C Scott.

I cannot stand to watch anything with Patrick Stewart. His overacting is worse than William Shatner. His versions of “A Christmas Carol” and “Moby Dick” are terrible.

[P.O.E.]

No one ever did it better Sim

Yeah but it took Mr. Magoo to make it into a musical

[LouAvul]

My vote is for George C. Scott’s version.

[Blue Turtle]

Reginald Owen for the win!

[larrytown]

Scott and Sims - top two, no preference other than colorized Sims version is (as most colorized films) abomination.

Patrick ok, but just too over the top and a bit stilted.

I’ll look forward to Dafoe, hoping it doesn’t get too weird... Depp may be a pleasant surprise.

The key player, rarely mentioned, is how Marley’s Ghost is presented, imho.

[Wilderness Conservative]

“Been a long time since an actor assassinated a president.” I will never watch his work again. Not even old crap.

[Sirius Lee]

Wrong! All of you. The best version was with Mr. MaGoo.

The second best was with Fonzie. Ayyyyy!

[napscoordinator]

Oh no. The best was George C Scott in 1984. I’ll give this one a chance. Hopefully not woke.

[Dan in Wichita]

I can’t see him being better than Alastair Sim.

The Alastair Sim version is my favorite also, but I'll be anxious to see the ghostly computer graphics in the upcoming 2026 movie. Should be fantastic.

[Dan in Wichita]

Patrick Stewart was really good at playing Scrooge.

The scene I remember most from his version was the older Scrooge shouting futilely to his younger self "Go after her, you fool, don't just sit there, go after her!!" You could feel his heart breaking, knowing he made the biggest mistake in his life letting her go.

[kvanbrunt2]

Instead of a kid needing a doctor to fix his leg, Tiny Tim will be a drugged up trans pufter.

[HYPOCRACY]

Finally the are going to adapt this classic novel to the big screen!

[jagusafr]

Gee,because the first 12 tellings of A Christmas Carol weren’t enough?

[PGR88]

The scene I remember most from his version was the older Scrooge shouting futilely to his younger self "Go after her, you fool, don't just sit there, go after her!!"

He played so many scenes well. I particularly liked when he suddenly appeared at his nephew's home, to apologize and reconcile with him. I thought both actors were fantastic.

[Dan in Wichita]

Yep, that was a very touching scene as well.

'A Christmas Carol' is such a beautiful story of redemption, and has served as an inspiration for generations, including us today. Well done, Charles Dickens!

[Savage Beast]

Can’t wait to see than one!

[BipolarBob]

I think I’ve seen all of the versions including the forgettable Guy Pearce one. Most are acceptable products. IMHO