Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance at Comic-Con, portraying Ebenezer Scrooge in a promotional event for Paramount's upcoming film "Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol." The actor spent approximately three hours in makeup for the role, marking his first major film appearance in years.
The promotional stunt, which surprised fans outside and inside the convention center, was the result of two months of planning, a relatively quick turnaround for such an event, according to sources. Paramount Global Marketing and Distribution chief Josh Goldstine conceived the idea in mid-May, reaching out to Depp, who immediately agreed to participate.
Paramount's marketing team constructed an elaborate set depicting Scrooge and Jacob Marley's shop, complete with special effects such as a backward-moving clock and a moving door knocker. Actors were hired to portray carolers, and a loose script was prepared for Depp.
During his appearance, Depp spontaneously interacted with fans dressed as his iconic characters, deviating from the planned script. "He’s so great at improv, so he was just really riffing off the crowd," one source involved in the planning stated.
This marks a significant moment for Depp, whose studio film roles diminished following a 2020 libel case in the UK. He largely prevailed in a 2022 defamation trial against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, in Virginia.
Depp's Comic-Con visit was his first since 2018, when he appeared as Gellert Grindelwald to promote "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald." As the trailer for "Ebenezer" played, Depp addressed the crowd, stating, "I’m back," a line intended to reflect both his character and his return to prominent film roles.
"Ebenezer" is scheduled for release on November 12. The film, directed by Ti West, also features Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint, and Andrea Riseborough.