Johnny Depp is officially back in the studio system. Seriously. After years of indie projects and European biopics, he’s signed on for a massive role that most people didn’t see coming.
He’s playing Ebenezer Scrooge.
Wait, don’t roll your eyes just yet. This isn't your standard, Hallmark-style holiday fluff. The upcoming movie, titled Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, is being handled by Paramount Pictures and directed by Ti West. If you know Ti West from horror hits like X or Pearl, you know this is going to be dark. Like, Victorian-ghost-story-meets-psychological-thriller dark. It's scheduled for a November 13, 2026 release, and it’s shaping up to be the pivot point for Depp's entire career.
Why This Isn't Just Another Christmas Movie
Most people get this wrong. They hear "A Christmas Carol" and think of the Muppets or Jim Carrey’s CGI version. But the original Dickens novella was actually pretty terrifying. It’s a story about a man being haunted by literal spirits to avoid eternal damnation.
👉 See also: Nothing to Lose: Why the Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins Movie is Still a 90s Classic
Ti West is leaning into that.
The casting is honestly stacked. Beside Depp, we’ve got Andrea Riseborough, Rupert Grint (playing Bob Cratchit), and Daisy Ridley. Oh, and Sir Ian McKellen is in the mix too. Having a major studio like Paramount back this—and securing a prime November release slot—basically signals that the "Blacklist" era for Depp is over.
The Road to Ebenezer: What Actually Happened
Before he signed onto this 2026 project, things were... experimental. You’ve probably seen headlines about his French film, Jeanne du Barry, where he played King Louis XV. It opened Cannes in 2023 and had a limited U.S. run in May 2024. It was fine, but it wasn't a "Hollywood" movie. It was a period piece where he barely spoke French and spent most of the time looking regal in a wig.
✨ Don't miss: How Old Is Paul Heyman? The Real Story of Wrestling’s Greatest Mind
Then came Modì: Three Days on the Wing of Madness.
This one is important because he didn't even act in it. He directed it. It follows 72 hours in the life of artist Amedeo Modigliani in 1916 Paris. It stars Riccardo Scamarcio and Al Pacino. It hit North American theaters on November 7, 2025, through Vertical Entertainment. The reviews? Mixed. Critics called it chaotic, but the actors loved him. Antonia Desplat basically said he treats "mistakes" as movie magic.
But directing a $10 million indie in Budapest is a world away from leading a Paramount tentpole.
🔗 Read more: Howie Mandel Cupcake Picture: What Really Happened With That Viral Post
The 2026 Slate: More Than Just Scrooge
If you’re tracking Johnny Depp latest movie progress, Ebenezer is the big one, but it’s not the only one. There's also Day Drinker. This is an action-thriller from Lionsgate, directed by Marc Webb (the Amazing Spider-Man guy). He’s starring opposite Penélope Cruz.
- Release Window: Expected late 2026.
- The Vibe: A commercial thriller about two strangers meeting on a cruise ship.
- Why it matters: It’s his first big-budget American leading role in almost a decade.
There are also persistent whispers about The Carnival at the End of Days. Terry Gilliam—the legendary director behind Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas—has been trying to get this off the ground. Depp is supposedly playing Satan. Yeah, you read that right. Jeff Bridges is rumored to play God. It’s a wild concept, but as of early 2026, it's still navigating the "development hell" phase because of financing issues.
What About Jack Sparrow?
Honestly? Nobody knows for sure. Jerry Bruckheimer has gone on record saying he’d love to have Depp back for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. He even mentioned they’ve spoken about it. But as of right now, there is no signed contract. Disney is moving forward with a reboot script, and while the door is "ajar," the 2026-2027 focus for Depp seems to be on prestige dramas and dark thrillers rather than swashbuckling.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Filmbuffs
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on these releases, here is how you should approach the next 18 months:
- Watch the "Modì" Streaming Drop: If you missed the limited theatrical run in late 2025, it’s now hitting digital platforms. It gives you the best look at his current creative headspace.
- Monitor the Paramount Trailers: Expect the first teaser for Ebenezer to drop around July or August 2026. That will be the moment we see if "Dark Scrooge" is actually going to work.
- Check the Lionsgate Schedule: Day Drinker is the "test case" for his box office draw. If that movie does well, the path to Pirates 6 becomes much, much wider.
Johnny Depp's 2026 isn't about "coming back"—he's been working this whole time. It's about whether or not the mainstream audience is ready to see him as a leading man again. Between a dark Dickens adaptation and a high-octane thriller with Penélope Cruz, he's certainly giving them enough options to choose from.