Johnny Depp returns to Hollywood as Scrooge in 'Ebenezer'
Johnny Depp is back with a new film.
The Oscar-nominated actor is the lead of the new holiday movie "Ebenezer," in which he stars as Ebenezer Scrooge.
Depp stepped out on Monday at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London for the film's global premiere.
"Ebenezer," directed by Ti West and a retelling of Charles Dickens' 1843 novel,
"A Christmas Carol," marks Depp's first major Hollywood film in eight years since 2018's "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald."
In 2023, Depp starred in the French film "Jeanne du Barry," which premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
When asked by The Associated Press at the London premiere how it felt to be back in the world of Hollywood films, Depp said, "What's the difference between a Hollywood film and French film? What's the difference between a Hollywood film and an English film?"
"The difference is this: There was a bit of a vacation," he added. "Which is fine."
Depp's new film follows "the deliciously unpleasant Ebenezer Scrooge," who on Christmas Eve "collides with his past, present, and future on a supernatural journey that will decide his ultimate fate," according to a synopsis.
Also starring in the film are Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charles Murphy, Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen.
"Ebenezer" comes four years after the conclusion of Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp sued Heard in February 2019 over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed, in which she described herself as "a public figure representing domestic abuse" but did not explicitly reference Depp by name.
Heard later filed a countersuit against Depp, alleging defamation over several public statements made by his attorney.
A Virginia jury ultimately sided mostly with Depp, finding Heard liable for defamation. Depp was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, while Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages and no punitive damages.
The two later reached a settlement in December 2022.
Aside from "Jeanne du Barry," Depp has kept his distance from Hollywood in recent years, following the trial.
In addition to "Ebenezer," Depp will next appear in "Day Drinker," a new Marc Webb-directed thriller, alongside Madelyn Cline and Penélope Cruz. The film is currently scheduled for a March 2027 theatrical release.
"Ebenezer" arrives in theaters Nov. 13.
