Johnny Depp is back in action – and his latest transformation quickly stirred up a spirited reaction.
The actor’s turn as Ebenezer Scrooge in the new “Ebenezer” trailer released Thursday earned enthusiastic praise from fans, while the film’s suggestion that audiences should “think again” about the classic story left others scratching their heads.
“From the trailer I can confirm, its still the same story,” one X user wrote in response to the trailer. “It’s the same as Scrooge, and Muppets Christmas Carol. So dw about having to think again, you really don’t.”
“Why is the tagline ‘Think you know his story? Think again.’ when every single thing in the trailers is faithful to Dickens?” another questioned. “That is his story and we all know it. This might be a good version, but why is it being marketed as revisionist? What story do you think we think we know?”
Despite some skepticism over the film’s marketing, other fans were eager to see Depp put his own spin on the oft-told Christmas tale.
“So many have done this story and I still will watch it.”
The excitement over Depp’s return comes as “Ebenezer” marks his first major Hollywood studio film in years. The actor last appeared on the big screen in the 2023 French historical drama “Jeanne du Barry” and later stepped behind the camera to direct “Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness.” He is also set to star opposite Penélope Cruz in the upcoming thriller “Day Drinker.”
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For some fans, Depp’s latest slate of projects signaled that the longtime Hollywood star was firmly back in action.
“This looks so awesome, im glad Johnny Depp is back in action…” one user wrote.
“Depp is back at the top of his game!” another added.
“Interesting take on Ebenezer. Johnny Depp might get an Oscar for this one, hopefully,” a user noted.
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Depp made his film debut in “A Nightmare on Elm Street” in 1984 before becoming a teen idol as undercover police officer Tom Hanson on the television series “21 Jump Street.” His career took a major turn with Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands” in 1990.
His portrayal of Jack Sparrow turned “Pirates of the Caribbean” into a blockbuster franchise and earned Depp his first Academy Award nomination. He received two more Oscar nominations for “Finding Neverland” and “Sweeney Todd,” winning a Golden Globe for the latter.
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But Depp’s decades of Hollywood success eventually gave way to a turbulent period in his career.
Depp’s disappearance from the big screen came after a few box-office failures, his highly publicized legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard along with personal troubles.
In 2020, Depp lost a U.K. libel case against The Sun over an article that called him a “wife beater.” Two years later, he faced Heard in a high-profile Virginia defamation trial over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed about domestic abuse. A jury found Heard liable for defaming Depp.