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Paramount Pictures is making a bold move under its new regime following the Skydance merger, with the studio in final negotiations to take on Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a fresh reimagining of the Charles Dickens classic. Hollywood icon Johnny Depp is set to star in the film, which will be directed by Ti West. Actress Andrea Riseborough has also joined the cast. The studio has officially dated the film for a worldwide release on November 13, 2026.
The upcoming project, written by Nathaniel Halpern and produced by Emma Watts, promises a thrilling and darker take on Dickens’ timeless tale. A Christmas Carol has been adapted countless times for stage and screen, but this version is expected to deliver a more haunting and cinematic portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption story. In this adaptation, audiences will be taken deep into the ghostly streets of Dickens’ London, where one man must confront the shadows of his past, the realities of his present, and the grim possibilities of his future to fight for a second chance at life.
Executive producers Stephen Deuters and Jason Forman are also on board the project, ensuring strong creative backing for the film’s ambitious direction. The announcement marks a significant moment for Depp, who is making one of his biggest comebacks since his 2022 defamation-lawsuit victory. The actor, best known for his iconic roles as Captain Jack Sparrow, the Mad Hatter, Ichabod Crane, and Willy Wonka, seems perfectly cast as Scrooge — a complex, eccentric figure balancing darkness and emotion.
Depp has recently wrapped production on Day Drinker, a Lionsgate film in which he stars alongside Penélope Cruz. With Ebenezer, the Oscar-nominated actor continues to rebuild his presence in Hollywood, signaling renewed industry confidence in his talent and box office power.
For director Ti West, this marks his first major studio feature after establishing a strong reputation in the horror genre with his acclaimed A24 trilogy: X (2022), Pearl (2022), and MaXXXine (2024). Known for his atmospheric storytelling and mastery of tension, West’s involvement suggests that Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol will take on a more chilling, gothic tone — blending psychological depth with the supernatural themes at the heart of Dickens’ story.
Interestingly, this is the second major “Christmas Carol” film announced this year. Warner Bros. Is also developing a separate adaptation directed by Robert Eggers, with Willem Dafoe reportedly set to play Scrooge. The simultaneous development of two high-profile interpretations underscores the timeless appeal of Dickens’ classic tale and its enduring relevance in modern cinema.
Johnny Depp is represented by Range Media Partners, Andrea Riseborough by CAA, Independent Talent Group, and Untitled, while Ti West is repped by CAA and LBI Entertainment.
With its stellar cast, visionary director, and a darker reimagining of one of literature’s most beloved ghost stories, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is shaping up to be one of Paramount’s most anticipated releases of 2026.
