Johnny Depp just made a surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con to promote his upcoming Christmas movie EBENEZER.
“Have you no jobs?” Depp, in character as the famous Ebenezer Scrooge, said to a crowd. “It seems as though you have so much spare time. I work.”
The PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN actor was in full costume, as well as prosthetics and makeup that made him nearly unrecognizable.
Someone replied to Depp, “Good day to you, Mr. Scrooge,” prompting the actor to respond, “What’s so pleasant about it?”
Johnny Depp makes a surprise appearance as Ebenezer Scrooge at #ComicCon pic.twitter.com/Zdk5e5crWv
— Variety (@Variety) July 23, 2026
Related: What Audiences Should Know About EBENEZER: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Depp portrays the CHRISTMAS CAROL character in EBENEZER, which “promises a darker adaptation” of the classic story, per PEOPLE.
“The name you know. The story you don’t,” the movie’s tagline declares.
Speaking about the role, Depp said, “It really has been an extraordinary privilege,” adding that he’s “been obsessed” with Scrooge’s story “since I was a little child.”
In addition to Depp, SCROOGE’s cast includes HARRY POTTER star Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, HUNGER GAMES actor Sam Claflin, STAR WARS star Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, with Tramell Tillman and LORD OF THE RINGS star Ian McKellen.
“He’s in spankingly good form,” McKellen told Variety of working with Depp on the movie. “Effervescent, funny, irreverent, serious — all at the same time. It was a bit of a love fest, really. I fell in love with him. He’s very obliging to his fellow actors. [There was] a wonderful feeling on the set.”
Speaking about his time on set, he said, “It was only six days, but it was well worth it,” teasing fans with a hint about his character — “I play a ghost!”
Directed by Ti West, famous for leading horror movies, EBENEZER will likely be a darker take on the well-known Christmas tale. However, West has previously spoken about his desire to break out of the horror genre.
“I don’t like only being known as a horror director,” he told Interview Magazine. “It’s tough to break out and be taken seriously. Most hardcore genre fans don’t really like my movies. If you’re labeled a genre director, then you should feel like you’re part of that world. I don’t entirely. I’m on the fringes, which can be an awkward spot.”
Plot details are being kept tightly under wraps, but viewers won’t have long to wait; EBENEZER premieres Nov. 13.
Read Next: Should We Be Worried a Horror Director Just Signed on for A CHRISTMAS CAROL?
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