Rupert Grint Reveals Johnny Depp Was Delightfully Mischievous on the ‘Ebenezer’ Set
Few holiday releases this year have generated as much curiosity as ‘Ebenezer’, Paramount’s dark reimagining of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ starring Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge. Directed by Ti West, the filmmaker behind ‘X’, ‘Pearl’ and ‘MaXXXine’, the film brings a gothic, horror-tinged edge to a story audiences have seen adapted countless times.
The project also marks a major moment for Depp. It’s his first big Hollywood studio film since 2018’s ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’, and Paramount is positioning it as a holiday tentpole ahead of its theatrical debut on November 13. Its tagline, “The name you know. The story you don’t,” makes clear that West isn’t interested in a cozy retelling.
With release just days away, the cast is out promoting the film, and Rupert Grint has offered a peek behind the curtain. Speaking with Extra in a new interview, the ‘Harry Potter’ star discussed Depp’s striking transformation into the famous miser and told Extra that his co-star was “mischievous” on set.
Grint plays Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s underpaid and long-suffering clerk, who works hard to support his family, including his sickly son Tiny Tim. Spending most of his scenes opposite Depp’s cantankerous boss gave Grint a front-row seat to the actor’s process.
It’s a role built on contrast. Cratchit is kind-hearted and gentle, while Scrooge is the bitter old man who despises Christmas, so the push and pull between the two characters is central to the story.
Rupert Grint talks Johnny Depp’s #Ebenezer transformation and how "mischievous" he was on set! ☺️ Watch more 🔗: https://t.co/Df6ZeMb4gY https://t.co/J7qeHGibjs
— ExtraTV (@extratv) November 8, 2026
Depp’s look as Scrooge has been turning heads ever since the first set photos leaked in January, when filming began in Dublin and London. The images showed the actor in full Victorian costume and prosthetics, complete with a blue brocade overcoat and long gray hair, making him almost unrecognizable.
Depp then surprised fans at San Diego Comic-Con in July by showing up fully in character to unveil the first trailer. He appeared both at a Paramount panel and at a pop-up recreation of Scrooge’s office.
In a featurette released by Paramount, Depp explained that he wanted to find a different way into the character rather than simply playing a miserable, greedy old man. Early reactions to the trailer suggest that approach is working, with some viewers surprised by how charming and funny his take on Scrooge appears.
Think you know his story? Think again. Johnny Depp is Ebenezer Scrooge. The spirits arrive in the official new trailer for EBENEZER – only in theatres November 13. https://t.co/cb6p9JBq9C
— Ebenezer (@ebenezermovie) October 1, 2026
Grint isn’t the only big name sharing the screen with Depp. Ian McKellen plays Jacob Marley, Andrea Riseborough is the Ghost of Christmas Past, and ‘Severance’ star Tramell Tillman takes on the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Daisy Ridley plays Emily Cratchit, Bob’s wife, and the cast also includes Sam Claflin, Charlie Murphy, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber and Henry Lloyd-Hughes. Nathaniel Halpern wrote the screenplay, and Emma Watts produced.
Grint’s comments add to a growing picture of a warm atmosphere behind the scenes. McKellen has also praised Depp, saying he fell in love with working alongside him and describing a wonderful feeling on set.
Bah! Humbug! …still ONE WEEK to wait until #Ebenezer brings the spirits of Christmas past, present & future to the big screen. Get tickets: https://t.co/WjrReUJsHv https://t.co/EPpQXOvOAF
— Cineworld (@cineworld) November 6, 2026
What makes ‘Ebenezer’ stand out is West’s decision to lean into the ghost story at the heart of Dickens’ novella. The film follows Scrooge on a supernatural journey through his past, present and future as he fights for a second chance, with the spirits treated more like genuine horror than gentle moral lessons.
If Grint’s stories are anything to go by, the mood on set was far lighter than the haunted world on screen. Audiences will finally get to see the result when the film opens in theaters next week.
Are you excited to see Johnny Depp's dark reimagining of Ebenezer Scrooge in 'Ebenezer'?
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