Johnny Depp appears poised to make his return to major studio filmmaking with a leading role in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story in development at Paramount Pictures. According to Variety, Depp is in final negotiations to play Ebenezer Scrooge, a character that has been reimagined countless times across film and television by actors including Michael Caine, Bill Murray, and Jim Carrey. If the project moves forward, it would mark Depp’s first collaboration with a major Hollywood studio since 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
The film is set to be directed by Ti West, best known for the horror features Pearl and Maxxxine. West’s involvement hints at a darker, perhaps more psychological interpretation of Dickens’ tale, rather than a straightforward retelling. Andrea Riseborough, who earned an Oscar nomination for To Leslie in 2022, is expected to co-star. Paramount is reportedly eyeing a November 13, 2026 release date.
Depp’s potential casting, however, enters a crowded field. Robert Eggers, director of The Lighthouse and Nosferatu, is developing his own version of A Christmas Carol for Warner Bros., with Willem Dafoe reportedly taking on the role of Scrooge. The coincidence of two high-profile reinterpretations of the same story, both led by distinctive directors and marquee actors, suggests a renewed studio interest in classic literary material framed through contemporary genre sensibilities.
For Depp, Ebenezer would represent a significant milestone in his gradual return to the spotlight after several years away from major studio productions. In addition to this project, he is collaborating with filmmaker Ridley Scott on Hyde, a graphic novel centered on a reimagined version of the literary character, and is set to appear alongside Penélope Cruz in Lionsgate’s upcoming action thriller Day Drinker, slated for 2026.
Speculation also continues around Depp’s possible reappearance in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has publicly stated that he has spoken with Depp about reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow for a sixth installment, though no deal has been confirmed.
Depp’s recent career developments follow years of public and legal controversy. His departure from Fantastic Beastscame after losing a libel suit in the UK in 2018 against The Sun newspaper, which had accused him of domestic violence. In 2022, Depp won a defamation case against his ex-wife, actor Amber Heard, in a U.S. court — a verdict that effectively reshaped public perception of both actors and reopened Hollywood’s door to the actor’s professional comeback.
If confirmed, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol would not only mark Depp’s return to mainstream cinema but also signal an ongoing shift in how studios handle major stars with complicated public histories. Whether West’s take becomes a gothic reinvention or a faithful period drama, the project is likely to draw considerable attention as the actor re-enters the studio system on one of literature’s most enduring roles.
