Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol

Project Overview

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol (2026) is Paramount Pictures’ ambitious, gothic reimagining of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. Johnny Depp stars as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge in this thrilling ghost story set in foggy Victorian London. Directed by horror visionary Ti West (X trilogy, Pearl, MaXXXine), the film emphasizes atmospheric tension, supernatural dread, and emotional redemption—making it a darker, more cinematic take on the holiday classic. Set photos reveal Depp’s dramatic transformation with heavy prosthetics, aging makeup, and period costume, generating huge excitement among fans for his layered portrayal of Scrooge’s journey from isolation to joy.

This marks Depp’s major studio comeback in a lead role, blending his signature eccentricity with heartfelt drama in a festive blockbuster.

Production Details

  • Production Company: Paramount Pictures (high-budget studio production with wide theatrical ambitions).
  • Status: In production (principal photography began in early January 2026 and is ongoing).
  • Director: Ti West (bringing his distinctive visual style—expect moody lighting, eerie ghost sequences, and psychological depth).
  • Writer: Nathaniel Halpern (screenplay adaptation; known for Legion and Tales from the Loop).
  • Producers: Emma Watts (lead producer); additional producers include Stephen Deuters and others.
  • Key Crew Highlights:
    • Personal makeup designer to Johnny Depp: Barrie Gower (Oscar-winner for transformative effects, e.g., in The Batman).
    • Personal hair designer to Johnny Depp: Giles Edleston.
    • Personal costumer to Johnny Depp: Ashleigh Lennox.
    • Other notable crew: Adam Bohling (production roles) and various department heads for costumes, set design, and VFX to handle the ghostly apparitions and Victorian-era details.

Filming has captured nighttime shoots in period settings, with leaks showing intense, immersive work—perfect for the story’s supernatural elements.

Cast

Johnny Depp headlines as Ebenezer Scrooge, the cold, greedy miser who faces a life-altering supernatural night.

Confirmed/rumored supporting cast (roles based on Dickens’ novella, casting reports, and set observations):

  • Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past (confirmed via set photos and reports; she appears in ethereal, ghostly attire alongside Depp).
  • Tramell Tillman (rumored as the Ghost of Christmas Present; known for Severance).
  • Ian McKellen (role undisclosed; likely a key ghostly or supporting figure).
  • Rupert Grint (rumored as Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s loyal, underpaid clerk and family man).
  • Daisy Ridley (role undisclosed; second on-screen collaboration with Depp after Murder on the Orient Express in 2017).
  • Sam Claflin as Fred (Scrooge’s optimistic, kind-hearted nephew who repeatedly invites his uncle to Christmas dinner—confirmed in multiple casting announcements).
  • Charlie Murphy (role undisclosed).
  • Ellie Bamber (role undisclosed).
  • Arthur Conti (role undisclosed).

This ensemble brings star power and emotional range to the ghosts, family dynamics, and London society—ideal for highlighting Scrooge’s transformation.

Filming Locations

Principal photography focuses on authentic Victorian-era vibes:

  • London, England (primary location—filming in historic streets, foggy backdrops, and Dickens-inspired sites to recreate 1840s London; includes nighttime shoots for ghostly atmosphere).
  • Dublin, Ireland (additional filming for supplementary scenes, utilizing period architecture, studios, and production support; scheduled alongside London shoots).

Production kicked off in early January 2026—set photos from London show Depp and co-stars in full costume, building hype.

Release Date

  • Theatrical Release: November 13, 2026 (confirmed for the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, and additional territories via Paramount).
  • Strategically timed for the holiday season (pre-Thanksgiving/early Christmas), positioning it as a family-friendly yet thrilling draw. Expect global wide release, potential IMAX screenings, and later streaming on Paramount+.

Story Summary

Faithful to Charles Dickens’ novella, the film follows Ebenezer Scrooge—a bitter, penny-pinching loner who dismisses Christmas cheer as “humbug.” On Christmas Eve, the ghost of his deceased partner Jacob Marley warns of doom, followed by three transformative spirits:

  • Ghost of Christmas Past — Reveals Scrooge’s lonely childhood, lost loves, and regrets.
  • Ghost of Christmas Present — Shows current joys and hardships, including the struggling Cratchit family (with Tiny Tim) and Scrooge’s nephew Fred’s warm holiday spirit.
  • Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come — A terrifying vision of a grim, forgotten future without change.

The eerie encounters shatter Scrooge’s cynicism, leading to profound redemption—he awakens a kinder, generous man embracing love and community. Ti West’s direction may amplify the gothic horror elements (haunting visuals, tension), while preserving the novella’s core message of hope, forgiveness, and second chances.

Why It’s Exciting for Johnny Depp Fans

Depp’s Scrooge promises a career-highlight performance: grumpy and isolated at first, then vulnerable and joyful—perfect for his dramatic range and physical commitment (prosthetics make him “nearly unrecognizable”). After indie/directorial projects like Modì (2025), this big-studio holiday film signals a triumphant Hollywood return. The all-star cast (including familiar faces like Daisy Ridley and now Sam Claflin as the upbeat Fred) adds buzz, while Ti West’s style could make the ghosts truly chilling. Set leaks are already viral—trailers and posters should drop soon!


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