Johnny Depp may be on the cusp of a significant Hollywood comeback following a successful test screening of his latest film, 'Ebenezer.' According to a report from Puck's Matthew Belloni, the actor's portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 'A Christmas Carol' spinoff earned high marks from audiences and studio executives.
An August 11 screening in Paramus, New Jersey, attended by Paramount studio heads Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, reportedly saw Depp score an 86 out of 100 for his performance. This figure significantly exceeds the average of around 67 for a male lead, according to Belloni.
Notably, Depp also performed exceptionally well with women over the age of 35, a demographic that had been a point of speculation given his past legal battles. Sources told Belloni that Depp achieved at least a 90 percent score within this group. These numbers were reportedly confirmed by three separate sources.
Depp's last major studio film role was in 2018's 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.' He later lost roles in the franchise and the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series in 2020 amid legal disputes with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. A jury later found Heard defamed Depp on three counts related to her claims of abuse, awarding Depp $10.35 million in damages.
'Ebenezer,' directed by Ti West and with a budget of approximately $40 million, is scheduled for theatrical release in November. Depp, in costume, promoted the film at San Diego Comic-Con last month. Belloni suggested that Paramount's strategy with Depp's appearance was to focus on his character performance, a move that appears to have resonated positively.
The possibility of Depp's return to prominent roles is reportedly becoming a significant talking point in Hollywood, with other studios closely observing the situation.