Johnny Depp’s public image has undergone a dramatic evolution in recent years. Once positioned as a near-guarantee at the box office, the actor spent much of the past decade navigating a level of scrutiny that extended far beyond his filmography. Highly public legal battles reshaped how studios, audiences, and the broader entertainment industry viewed Depp, often placing controversy ahead of conversation about his work.
As his disputes with Amber Heard dominated headlines and online debate, Hollywood largely pulled back. Projects slowed, franchises moved on, and Depp’s defining role as Captain Jack Sparrow in The Walt Disney Company’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was effectively terminated.
That context makes his next major project particularly notable. Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, has quietly assembled a cast that signals serious ambition. Depp is set to play Ebenezer Scrooge under the direction of Ti West, whose reputation suggests a moodier, more unsettling take on the familiar tale. Deadline reports that Rupert Grint and Daisy Ridley have now joined the production, significantly raising its profile.
Grint is expected to portray Bob Cratchit, while Ridley’s role remains under wraps. The ensemble also includes Andrea Riseborough, Sir Ian McKellen, Tramell Tillman, Sam Claflin, Charlie Murphy, Arthur Conti, and Ellie Bamber, pointing toward a prestige-driven reinterpretation rather than a traditional family-friendly retelling.
Paramount Pictures has set a November 13, 2026, release date, positioning the film as a seasonal offering with a sharp edge. For Depp, the project represents another measured step back into studio-backed filmmaking. For audiences, it’s a reminder that Dickens’ ghost story still has room for reinvention—especially when anchored by unexpected casting choices.
This renewed visibility contrasts with comments Depp made just two years ago about stepping away from the spotlight.
Speaking to Somerset Life in 2023, the actor detailed why he has chosen to spend his time on his 850-acre, £13 million mansion in the south of England. Depp said: “I just love places with character. British people are cool and will greet you as if you are a neighbour — without going over the top. I like going to places, seeing things and meeting people — but I’m not the great extrovert that people think.”
The film star added, “In truth, I’m quite a shy person. That’s one of the great things about Britain, and especially Somerset. I can just be me — and that’s nice. I can go into shops without being surrounded by people wanting selfies. I don’t mind that up to a point, but sometimes it gets a little too crowded.”
The scope of Paramount’s Ebenezer ensemble stands out given Depp’s recent résumé. Since the trials, he has largely worked outside major studio systems, appearing in Minamata, Jeanne du Barry, Johnny Puff: Secret Mission, and directing Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness. He’s also slated to appear in Day Drinker (2026).
The scale of this production—and the company backing it—may indicate a shift in industry perception. Whether that momentum eventually influences The Walt Disney Company and the long-rumored Jack Sparrow discussions remains to be seen.
How do you feel about the Hollywood return of Johnny Depp? Let us know in the comments down below!
Pirates of the Caribbean will be a waste of time and money without Johnny Depp. How is it that moviegoers know this but Hollywood, especially Disney is blind to the fact? Disney needs to let go of ego and pride, in this instance, if they expect a reward for their efforts and offer him whatever it takes to make the next movie an automatic success.