en.Sketsamalang.com – Johnny Depp takes on the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer, bringing a different approach to the character created by Charles Dickens. Rather than portraying him solely as a miserly and grumpy old man, Depp explores Scrooge’s more complex personality, balancing his unpleasant nature with moments of humor and charm.
Directed by Ti West, the film is based on Dickens’ classic novella A Christmas Carol (1843). The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy businessman known for his cold demeanor and indifference toward others. His life takes an unexpected turn when three spirits visit him on Christmas Eve, taking him through his past, present, and future.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly on August 31, 2026, West explained that Depp captures Scrooge’s defining characteristics while giving the character a distinct sense of humor and charm.
“He has a way of hitting all of the classic Scrooge moments that make him an unlikable guy, but there’s a certain sense of humor and charm to it as well,” West told Entertainment Weekly.
According to West, the adaptation also seeks to explore the moral complexity of the story rather than presenting Scrooge as the only flawed character. Working alongside screenwriter Nathaniel Halpern, the director aimed to create a more balanced portrayal of the characters.
“In other adaptations, Scrooge is kind of an asshole, and then the rest of the characters are benevolent, perfect people. And it was really our goal to try to balance that out to say that there’s much more of a gray area in the story,” West said in the same interview.
Ti West Says Depp Creates His Own Version of Scrooge
West also noted that Depp does not rely on the eccentric style associated with some of his previous iconic roles, including Edward Scissorhands. Instead, the actor develops a distinct interpretation of Scrooge that stands apart from his earlier performances.
“It is its own thing,” West said while discussing Depp’s approach to the character in his Entertainment Weekly interview.
The director also highlighted Depp’s ability to deliver dialogue inspired by the language of Dickens’ era. West described the actor as having a particular musicality in his speech, which suits the rhythm and style of the classic literary material.
Meanwhile, Depp revealed that he was more interested in understanding Scrooge’s background than simply portraying him as a wealthy miser. In an exclusive interview with People on November 2, 2026, the actor explained that he wanted to establish the character’s history and the experiences behind his behavior.
“Where’s the in? How do you find your way in and give him a history and a reason why he is this supposed kind of just horrific miser and all that … So I, I was more interested in finding out why he was how he was,” Depp told People.
He also described Scrooge as someone who attempts to distance himself from the outside world.
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“This is a guy who’s trying to make himself invisible to the world,” Depp said in the same interview.
Depp’s approach focuses on the experiences and motivations behind Scrooge’s withdrawn personality, adding another dimension to the character beyond his reputation for greed.
The film also features Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit, Tramell Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past, alongside Daisy Ridley and Sam Claflin.
Through Depp’s interpretation, Ebenezer revisits one of the most recognizable characters in Christmas literature. Scrooge remains an unpleasant figure, but the film explores the humor, charm, and personal history behind his transformation.
Ebenezer is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 13, 2026, through Paramount Pictures.