EXCLUSIVE: Here's Johnny! Inside Depp's Massive Comeback… And How it is Starting With Him Playing Ebeneezer Scrooge
Johnny Depp's comeback begins with his portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge in a new project.
Jan. 20 2026, Published 7:00 a.m. ET
Determined Johnny Depp is working toward a box office comeback with Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, according to sources who said producers are hoping the scandal-plagued star will be on his best behavior while shooting the 2026 release and won't squander the opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of Hollywood.
"The whole point of this project is to let Johnny be Johnny – and let him do the things audiences love to see him do. He has to create a character and an accent, and he has to disappear under loads of old-age makeup to become a version of Scrooge nobody has ever seen before," an insider told RadarOnline.com.
"And he's going to have to do that every day for three months, while they shoot in London this winter."
Creative Clash Could Kill Film
Director Ti West pitched Johnny Depp to star as Scrooge in 'Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol.'
"It's a big-budget movie with serious filmmakers involved, including the director Ti West, who is the one who pitched Johnny to take on this role. If Ti and Johnny aren't able to see eye-to-eye on every single creative decision, the consequences could be devastating to the project – and costly for the studio."
As RadarOnline.com readers know, Depp, 62, was dropped from his high-profile role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise – and appeared to be radioactive to Tinseltown – after his ex-wife Amber Heard claimed she was a victim of domestic violence in a 2018 newspaper op-ed.
Though Heard never mentioned Depp by name, he successfully sued her for defamation in Virginia – with the jury awarding him $15 million and Heard $2million in her countersuit.
Depp Must Prove Himself
Amber Heard was cited in reports recalling the dispute that led to Depp being dropped from 'Pirates of the Caribbean.'
In December 2022, both parties reached a settlement and dropped their appeals – with Heard, 39, reportedly paying her ex $1 million.
Depp has denied ever harming Heard.
"Johnny understands the assignment," the insider remarked. "This isn't another Pirates of the Caribbean situation where he can just waltz in after drinking a bottle of red wine with lunch and play a character that's second nature to him. In Ebenezer, he has to prove that he's back as a major artist."
Johnny's Biggest Check In Years
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Producers said the 2026 film aims to mark Depp's box office comeback with a new take on 'A Christmas Carol.'
According to the source, Depp stands to pocket $10 million for the film – his biggest paycheck in years.
"Johnny sees this movie as the first step in a complete return to movie star status," the insider shared. "If he doesn't book another big film after he wraps this one, word may spread that Johnny didn't deliver the goods. Everybody's rooting for him, but they're also ready to jump ship at the first sign of trouble."
