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Johnny Depp is officially back in the studio spotlight.
Under the new leadership of Skydance’s David Ellison, Paramount Pictures is set to produce _Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol_ , with Depp starring as the infamous miser in a bold new take on the Charles Dickens classic.
## Depp’s returns as Ebenezer Scrooge
According to THR, Paramount is in final negotiations to pick up the project, which will be directed by horror filmmaker Ti West (_X_ , _Pearl_ , _MaXXXine_). The studio is eyeing a **November 13, 2026** release date.
Andrea Riseborough joins Depp in the cast, with the script written by Nathaniel Halpern. The film is described as “a thrilling ghost story set in Dickens’ London, following one man’s supernatural journey to face his past, present, and future and fight for a second chance.”
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THR makes a point of stating in the article:
> It’s the ghost from Hollywood’s Christmas past as Johnny Depp has returned in his biggest movie project yet since being ostracized during a contentious and ugly defamation lawsuit with ex-wife Amber Heard.
>
> Paramount Pictures, under the new leadership of David Ellison, is in final negotiations to pick up a new take on Charles Dickens’ oft-adapted _A Christmas Carol_.
Johnny Depp as Donald Trump in _Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal: The Movie_ (2016)
## From Hollywood’s Outcast to Redemption
The project marks Depp’s biggest studio comeback since being dropped from major franchises following his legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard. Once one of the world’s highest-paid and most bankable stars thanks to _Pirates of the Caribbean_ , _Alice in Wonderland_ , and _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_ , Depp’s Hollywood career hit pause after the public defamation suits in both the U.S. and U.K.
After being fired from Warner Bros.’ _Fantastic Beasts_ in 2020, Depp turned to European cinema, starring in _Jeanne du Barry_ , which premiered at Cannes in 2023.
## What’s Next for Depp
In addition to _Ebenezer_ , Depp wrapped _Day Drinker_ for Lionsgate, a thriller now set for release in March 2027.
The Ellison bet is looking like the right one. _Ebenezer_ tested in August and scored an 80, with Depp scoring an 86 against a norm of 67 for a lead and hitting 90 percent with women over 35.
Rumors continue to swirl that Disney could also bring Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow in _Pirates of the Caribbean 6_ , signaling a full-scale Hollywood comeback that once seemed impossible. Longtime producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed Depp is open for a return.
## About Matt McGloin
Matt McGloin is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Cosmic Book News, the independent entertainment news site he founded in 2008. He covers movies, comics, TV, video games and pop culture and has reported major industry scoops over the years, including revealing the Avengers: Endgame title ahead of its official announcement. Through Cosmic Book News, he helped Marvel Comics promote Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova through exclusive previews, artwork, and interviews, with the site also quoted in solicitations and on comic covers. He also reported on Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again retooling before it was later confirmed by the trades.
