UPDATE: Here’s the trailer, which arrives just as Depp made a surprise appearance at Comic-Con as Ebenezer Scrooge. He seems to be having a ball playing the character—but will we have as much fun watching the movie?
EARLIER: We finally have some promotional material for Ti West’s “Ebenezer,” starring Johnny Depp.
What an odd combination: West, who has mostly gotten success at low-budget horror, and Depp, in his first major Hollywood film since his Amber Heard court battle, tackling a classic Christmas character whose story has been told and retold an innumerable number of times.
The poster for “Ebenezer” gives us our first hinted glimpse at Depp as the titular character. Nathaniel Halpern wrote the script, which is described as a “bold new twist” on the Dickens tale. Does that mean it will be a horror movie? Nobody really knows yet. We need a trailer.
The tagline: “Before he was Ebenezer, he was Scrooge.” This seems to imply West’s film is an origin story. Dickens’ original “A Christmas Carol” deliberately gives only fragments of Scrooge’s past: we see his lonely childhood, his time as a young apprentice under Fezziwig, his relationship with Belle, and the choices that pushed him toward greed and isolation.
The cast includes Depp, Andrea Riseborough, Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley, Rupert Grint and Tramell Tillman. Halpern is best known for his work on “Legion” and as the creator and writer of “Tales from the Loop.”
What’s the fascination with this story? Everyone knows its beginning, middle, and end. One outlet estimates that around 272 adaptations of the tale (across film and television) have been produced. Let’s hope West’s version isn’t just a straight-up retelling.
West is coming off his “X” trilogy, which included “Pearl,” and for that, we’re forever grateful. Since then, West has reportedly been pursuing a passion project titled “Scream Queen.” His decision to direct “Ebenezer” feels unexpected. West may be best served returning to original projects, as films like “The House of the Devil” and “In a Valley of Violence” highlight the best of what he can offer.
“Ebenezer” is expected to hit theaters on November 13, 2026, via Paramount.
For Schrader, AI solves the curious practical filmmaking problem he had. How about just creating Black people? No casting calls, no agents, no actors turning down the roles.