Johnny Depp Returns to Major Studio Spotlight as Ebenezer Scrooge in Ti West’s A Christmas Carol

Johnny Depp appears ready to step back into the major Hollywood spotlight with his most intriguing role in years: Ebenezer Scrooge. According to reports, Depp is in the final stages of negotiation with Paramount Pictures to star in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a reimagining of Charles Dickens’ timeless story. If confirmed, this will mark his first collaboration with a major studio since 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

For a man whose career has been shaped by eccentric and layered performances, the role of Scrooge could represent not just a comeback – but a reinvention.

The project, helmed by Ti West, the acclaimed horror filmmaker behind Pearl and Maxxxine, suggests an intriguing tone – one potentially darker and more psychological than the usual holiday fare. Alongside Depp, Andrea Riseborough, nominated for an Academy Award for her role in To Leslie, is reportedly set to co-star. The film is tentatively scheduled for a November 13, 2026 release, a slot clearly positioning it for awards season buzz.

Interestingly, Depp won’t be the only Scrooge in town. Director Robert Eggers, known for his haunting visual style in Nosferatu, is developing his own adaptation for Warner Bros., with frequent collaborator Willem Dafoe tipped to take on the miserly role. Two visionary directors, two starkly different takes on Dickens’ classic – and two veteran actors ready to bring depth to one of literature’s most complex characters.

For Depp, this role represents far more than another eccentric performance. After years of turbulence following his legal battles with Amber Heard and his fallout with Disney, his gradual reemergence feels like the start of a redemption arc both personal and professional. Beyond Ebenezer, he’s also working with Ridley Scott on a graphic novel project featuring a character named Hyde, and he’s set to appear alongside Penélope Cruz in Lionsgate’s 2026 thriller Day Drinker. Talk of his possible return as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 continues to swirl, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer hinting that conversations have indeed taken place.

Whether playing a haunted miser or the ever-swaying pirate of legend, Depp’s career has always been about transformation. Now, as he prepares to take on Scrooge – a character consumed by greed, regret, and redemption – it feels like art may be mirroring life. Hollywood, once quick to turn its back, may finally be ready to open its arms again. And audiences, still nostalgic for the magic of Depp’s earlier years, seem more than ready to welcome him home.