Paramount Pictures is diving headfirst into the holiday spirit with a new take on A Christmas Carol. The studio is in final negotiations to join the project, which is titled Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, which will star Johnny Depp as the legendary miser, with Ti West set to direct.
Andrea Riseborough has also signed on, and the studio has already staked out the release date of November 13, 2026. The film is written by Nathaniel Halpern and produced by Emma Watts, with Stephen Deuters and Jason Forman serving as executive producers.
This reimagining of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale is being described as a thrilling ghost story set in the heart of Dickensian London. The story follows one man’s supernatural journey through his past, present, and future as he’s forced to confront the choices that shaped his life and fight for a second chance.
This isn’t the only adaptation of A Christmas Carol on the way. Earlier this year, Warner Bros. announced its own version from Robert Eggers, with Willem Dafoe in talks to play Scrooge. Clearly, the battle of the Christmas Carols is on.
For Depp, this marks a major return to the spotlight following his legal battles and his 2022 defamation lawsuit victory. Hollywood appears ready to welcome him back, as he recently wrapped the Lionsgate thriller Day Drinker opposite Penélope Cruz.
The role of Ebenezer Scrooge feels tailor-made for Depp, who has built a career out of eccentric, unpredictable characters, from Captain Jack Sparrow and the Mad Hatter to Ichabod Crane and Willy Wonka.
As for West, this project marks a interesting next step in his career. The filmmaker carved out a name for himself in horror with his acclaimed A24 trilogy that began with X in 2022, followed by Pearl, and concluded with last year’s MaXXXine.
Now, he’s tackling his first major studio film that will be a dark, atmospheric twist on a holiday classic that’s right in his creative wheelhouse. He also directd The House of The Devil and The Inkeepers, which are great horror films.
Paramount’s decision to back Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol signals the studio’s renewed ambition after the Skydance merger. Between the prestige of the source material, Depp’s return to a major leading role, and West’s distinct visual style, this could be one of the most interesting holiday releases in years.
