Johnny Depp Is Unrecognizable as Ebenezer Scrooge in Surprise San Diego Comic-Con Appearance

Johnny Depp surprised fans at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 23, by appearing in character as Ebenezer Scrooge. The 63-year-old award-winning actor was dressed in head-to-toe Scrooge attire, complete with prosthetics and makeup, to promote the upcoming fall release of Ti West's Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol.

The film, which will be a gothic reimagining of the Charles Dickens classic originally published in December 1843, marks Depp's first major Hollywood studio movie since 2019's Waiting for the Barbarians. The beloved holiday tale has inspired dozens of adaptations for film and television, but West's version promises a darker, more supernatural take on the story.

An Unexpected Arrival

Depp wasn't scheduled to appear at any panels at SDCC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. However, he made a surprise appearance in full costume during Collider's "Directors on Directing" panel, where a trailer for the film was released shortly after his arrival.

Before the panel, the Edward Scissorhands star was seen outside the convention center, surrounded by a large group of onlookers as he entered his Gaslamp quarter shop Scrooge and Marley, fully dressed as the fictional cold-hearted character. Entertainment Weekly published video of the scene on social media, showing the actor navigating the crowds in character.

Wearing a top hat and walking with a cane, Depp was nearly unrecognizable as he was also adorned with ultra-gray facial hair and prosthetics that transformed him into the iconic miser. In footage shared by Deadline, someone off-camera can be heard yelling out to the movie star, "Good day to you, Mr. Scrooge."

"What's so pleasant about it?" Depp replied, channeling his inner Ebenezer with perfect comic timing.

A Star-Studded Cast

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Andrea Riseborough co-stars as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Tramell Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, and Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit. The film was first announced in October 2025, with Deadline reporting that the version would be "a thrilling ghost story set in Dickens' London" that "follows one man's supernatural journey to face his past, present and future and fight for a second chance."

McKellen, 87, previously opened up about what it was like having Depp as a costar for the upcoming holiday film. "He's in spankingly good form," the Lord of the Rings alum told Variety at the New York premiere of his new movie The Christophers in April. "Effervescent, funny, irreverent, serious all at the same time."

And while McKellen may have only spent six days on set, he told the outlet that Depp made sure the process "was a bit of a love fest." "I fell in love with him," McKellen added of Depp, calling him "very obliging to his fellow actors. [There was] a wonderful feeling on the set."

Depp's Return to Hollywood

The film represents a significant milestone in Depp's career, marking his return to major Hollywood studio productions after several years of independent and international projects. In recent years, Depp has starred in films such as Jeanne du Barry (2023), a French-language historical drama, and Modì (2024), which marked his directorial return. His appearance at Comic-Con signals a renewed push into mainstream Hollywood fare.

The choice of a gothic A Christmas Carol adaptation is an intriguing one for both Depp and director Ti West, who is best known for his work in the horror genre, including the X trilogy and The House of the Devil. West's signature style atmospheric, slow-burn tension with a retro aesthetic suggests that Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol will be far removed from the traditional, heartwarming adaptations audiences have come to expect.

What to Expect from the Film

While plot details remain largely under wraps, the gothic reimagining is expected to lean into the darker elements of Dickens' original story. The novella, after all, is a ghost story at its core, featuring supernatural visitations and themes of mortality, regret, and redemption. West's version appears poised to amplify these elements, creating a chilling holiday experience that may appeal to fans of both classic literature and horror cinema.

The film is being distributed by Paramount Pictures and is slated to arrive in theaters on November 13, 2026 just in time for the holiday season. With Depp's star power, West's genre credentials, and a supporting cast that includes McKellen, Riseborough, Tillman, and Grint, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year.

Johnny Depp's surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con in full Scrooge regalia was a masterstroke of marketing, generating immediate buzz for a film that might otherwise have flown under the radar. His nearly unrecognizable transformation and commitment to character delighted fans and media alike, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come.

As Depp returns to Hollywood's mainstream with this gothic reimagining, audiences will be watching closely to see if he can recapture the magic that made him one of the most beloved and enigmatic actors of his generation. If McKellen's endorsement is any indication, Depp is in fine form and Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol may just be the comeback story the actor and his fans have been waiting for.