Johnny Depp Appears Unrecognizable in Newly Released a ‘Christmas Carol’ Images
Johnny Depp has fans buzzing after photos emerged showing his total transformation for the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in a new version of the Charles Dickens classic. On January 28, images from the London set of the film surfaced online.
People quickly noticed how different the actor looks. Known for hiding behind heavy costumes and makeup, Depp seems to be doing it again for this project, which is being produced by Paramount Pictures.
In the photos shared by PEOPLE, Depp is seen wearing a bulky blue coat over a dark outfit and what looks like black pajama bottoms. With the help of thick makeup and facial prosthetics, he looks much older and almost impossible to recognize.
His hair appears gray and messy under a dark nightcap as he filmed scenes with his co-star Andrea Riseborough. She plays the Ghost of Christmas Past and looks just as eerie, covered in white makeup and wearing a long, ghostly white dress.
First look at Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’. pic.twitter.com/XaNAJM8TpN
— Filmento (@TheFilmento) January 31, 2026
The movie is titled Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol and is being directed by Ti West, who is famous for his recent horror trilogy that included the films X and Pearl. This new adaptation is expected to be much darker and more like a ghost story than the versions most people grew up watching. According to reports from Deadline, the film will follow Scrooge’s supernatural journey through his life as he tries to find a way to change his fate and earn a second chance.
This project is a big deal for Depp because it is his first lead role in a major Hollywood studio movie in quite a while. Aside from Riseborough, the cast is filled with other massive stars like Ian McKellen, who plays Jacob Marley, and Rupert Grint, who is set to play Bob Cratchit.
Other big names like Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, and Tramell Tillman are also part of the lineup. The movie is already scheduled to hit theaters on November 13, just in time for the holiday season.
In the last year or so, Johnny Depp has been slowly making his way back into the spotlight with several different projects. He recently starred in a thriller called Day Drinker alongside Penélope Cruz and directed a movie about the artist Modigliani called Modì.
There have also been rumors that he might finally return to his most famous role as Jack Sparrow in a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, though nothing is set in stone yet. On top of his acting, he has been spending time in Japan for special events and working on a new graphic novel project with director Ridley Scott.
Between the legendary cast and the darker tone, this version of Scrooge is shaping up to be one of the most unique movies of the year. Paramount seems to be putting a lot of faith in the project by giving it a prime release date.
Do you think Johnny Depp is the right choice to play a darker, more haunting version of Ebenezer Scrooge, or are there too many versions of this story already? Share your thoughts in the comments!