Johnny Depp stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in the first trailer for Paramount Pictures’ adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic 1843 novella, titled “Ebenezer,” slated for a November 13 theatrical release. Released on October 1, the preview shows the 63-year-old actor with gray hair, a hollow face, and heavy prosthetic makeup, marking his first major Hollywood studio production since 2018’s “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” as reported by dnes.bg.
Paramount Pictures Releases First Trailer for Ebenezer
Paramount Pictures debuted the first look at the adaptation, which promises a departure from traditional holiday sentimentality. Behind the camera is director Ti West, known for his work on horror films including “X,” “Pearl,” and “MaXXXine.” The official logline for the project states that audiences know the name of the central character, but not this version of the story.
The narrative centers on Ebenezer Scrooge, a cynical and miserly old man whose worldview is challenged when his past confronts him. The trailer features Ian McKellen as the ghost of Jacob Marley, warning Scrooge about the impending visits of three nocturnal spirits.
Johnny Depp Returns to a Major Studio Production After Eight Years
The production marks a return to major Hollywood studio films for Depp following a quiet period after his 2022 defamation trial against his ex-wife, Amber Heard. In the intervening years, he starred as King Louis XV in the French historical drama “Jeanne du Barry”—which opened the 2023 Cannes Film Festival—and directed the biographical drama “Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness.”
Following “Ebenezer,” Depp is slated to star in another upcoming major studio release, “Day Drinker,” alongside Penélope Cruz and Madelyn Cline, with a scheduled release in March 2027. A source close to the production told People magazine that the Dickens adaptation is a unique opportunity for the actor, noting that he thrives in character-driven roles.
Cast Members Join Johnny Depp and Ian McKellen Onscreen
The film features an ensemble cast supporting Depp and McKellen. The lineup includes Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, and Tramell Tillman.
Depp demonstrated his commitment to the role ahead of the trailer release by surprising attendees at San Diego Comic-Con in July. He appeared at a special event for the film fully dressed and made up as Scrooge rather than appearing as himself to promote the project.
Adapting Charles Dickens for Modern Cinema
The 1843 novella by Charles Dickens has been adapted for the screen numerous times over the decades. Recent adaptations include the 2022 animated film “Scrooge: A Christmas Carol” and Robert Zemeckis’s 2009 computer-animated version starring Jim Carrey as the miserly protagonist. Earlier cinematic treatments include the 1951 British film starring Alastair Sim.
Unlike standard family-friendly holiday adaptations, the involvement of director Ti West points toward a darker, genre-influenced tone for this iteration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ebenezer
When is Ebenezer scheduled to premiere in theaters?
Paramount Pictures has scheduled the theatrical release of the film for November 13.
Which studio is producing the new adaptation?
Paramount Pictures is backing the project, marking Johnny Depp’s first film with a major Hollywood studio since 2018.
Who plays the ghost of Jacob Marley opposite Johnny Depp?
Ian McKellen portrays the ghost of Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge about the three visiting spirits.
What other upcoming films does Johnny Depp have lined up?
Following this release, Depp is set to star in “Day Drinker” alongside Penélope Cruz and Madelyn Cline, which is planned for a March 2027 release.
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