Johnny Depp has taken on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in a new dark fantasy film titled Ebenezer, marking his first live-action movie role since his 2022 defamation case against Amber Heard. The actor appeared as the iconic Charles Dickens character at a Comic-Con event promoting the Paramount Pictures release.
First Live-Action Role Since Defamation Case
Depp has largely stayed away from the film industry in the four years following his legal battle. In 2022, Depp sued his former partner Amber Heard over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser. The case followed a 2020 High Court ruling in London that found Depp had assaulted Heard and left her in “fear for her life”.
'Ebenezer' Film Details
Ebenezer is described as a dark fantasy version of Charles Dickens' classic novella A Christmas Carol. Depp plays the titular character, a bitter miser who despises Christmas and must change his ways to avoid a terrible fate in the afterlife. The trailer released by Paramount Pictures UK shows Depp's transformation into Scrooge, with bushy, unkempt grey eyebrows, mutton chops, and facial prosthetics that age the 63-year-old actor. His signature look includes a top hat, scarf, and long black coat.
The film is due for release in November this year. The trailer also features a glimpse of the cast, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens actress Daisy Ridley, Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, Oscar-nominated actress Andrea Riseborough, and Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen.
