Global superstar Johnny Depp is set to headline the upcoming Paramount Pictures feature film, ‘Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol’ , a highly-anticipated, fresh adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless festive narrative. The announcement positions the film as a major cinematic event, blending a classic literary character with a unique, modern directorial vision.
The film will be directed by Ti West, who is best known for his critically acclaimed, successful horror trilogy: ‘X’ (2022), ‘Pearl’ (2022), and ‘MaXXXine’ (2024). West’s distinct storytelling approach is expected to bring a fresh, compelling cinematic take to one of literature’s most enduring Christmas stories.
Depp will star in the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge, the notoriously cold-hearted and miserly businessman who undergoes a profound, supernatural transformation after being visited by three spectral beings on Christmas Eve. The screenplay for this new adaptation is penned by Nathaniel Halpern, according to a PTI report, citing Variety.
‘Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol’ is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 13, 2026, positioning it perfectly for the holiday season. The cast will also feature the acclaimed actress Andrea Riseborough, known for her notable performances in films like ‘Oblivion’ and ‘To Leslie’.
The story retains the core elements of Dickens’ classic, chronicling Scrooge’s forced confrontation with his past, present, and future self, leading him to face the stark consequences of his long-standing greed and indifference.
By taking on the role, Johnny Depp joins a distinguished lineage of actors who have famously embodied the character of Scrooge in diverse earlier adaptations, including:
- Alastair Sim in the 1951 classic ‘Scrooge’
- Bill Murray in the 1988 dark comedy ‘Scrooged’
- Michael Caine in ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ (1992)
- Jim Carrey in the 2009 animated retelling ‘A Christmas Carol’
The film is produced by Emma Watts, with Stephen Deuters and Jason Forman serving as executive producers. The combination of Ti West’s distinctive directorial style and Depp’s powerful, dramatic screen presence is poised to make ‘Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol’ a must-see holiday film.
Key Highlights:
- Star and Role: Hollywood actor Johnny Depp is cast as the lead, Ebenezer Scrooge, in the new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, titled ‘Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol’.
- Creative Team: The film is directed by Ti West, acclaimed for his ‘X’ horror trilogy, and the screenplay is written by Nathaniel Halpern. Andrea Riseborough is also set to star.
- Release Details: The Paramount Pictures film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on November 13, 2026.
- Significance: The project is anticipated to be a fresh cinematic take on the timeless Christmas story, leveraging the unique blend of West’s direction and Depp’s dramatic presence.