Johnny Depp is making his return to major Hollywood studio films with Ebenezer, a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, but the film’s box-office performance could determine how far his career comeback goes.
Released in US and UK cinemas on November 13, the festive production sees Depp take on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, alongside established stars including Sir Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint and Daisy Ridley.
The casting has attracted attention because it marks Depp’s first major studio film since his highly publicised legal battles with former wife Amber Heard.
In November 2020, Depp lost a libel case in England against The Sun newspaper, which had described him as a “wife beater”. The judge ruled that the newspaper had proved the allegations in its article to be “substantially true”. Warner Bros subsequently removed Depp from the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
The former couple faced another legal battle in 2022 when Depp sued Heard in the United States over an opinion article she wrote for The Washington Post. A jury ruled in Depp’s favour, finding that Heard had defamed him. However, the six-week trial exposed details of their troubled relationship, including testimony from their former marriage counsellor, Dr Laurel Anderson, who described their behaviour as “mutual abuse”.
Depp later said he felt boycotted by Hollywood, claiming in 2023 that he had been asked to leave a film because of allegations against him.
Despite the controversies, the actor continued working outside major Hollywood studio productions. He appeared in the French period drama Jeanne du Barry, directed Modi, Three Days on the Wings of Madness, and remained the face of Dior’s Sauvage fragrance.
Now, the marketing campaign for Ebenezer is placing Depp’s return at the centre of its publicity. Its first trailer, released in July, highlighted his previous iconic roles in Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands and Alice in Wonderland, before showing him declaring: “It’s good to be back.”
However, the approach has drawn criticism from some observers. Maureen Ryan, author of Burn It Down: Power, Complacency and a Call for Change in Hollywood, described the comeback-focused promotional campaign as tasteless and off-putting. Paramount was approached for comment.
Others believe Depp’s return reflects Hollywood’s willingness to welcome back stars who can attract audiences. Public relations expert Mark Borkowski said the industry’s decisions were ultimately driven by commercial considerations, arguing that “Hollywood is redemptive, if they see the money”.
Depp’s supporters have remained vocal throughout his legal battles, with fans backing him online and outside courtrooms. His supporters also believe he was unfairly treated following Heard’s allegations.
Meanwhile, Heard’s acting career has taken a different path. After appearing in the 2018 superhero film Aquaman, she had a smaller role in its 2023 sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and has not appeared in another film since.
Karen McNally, a professor of American Film, Television and Cultural History at London Metropolitan University, believes Depp’s appearance as Scrooge could help audiences separate the actor from the controversies surrounding him.
She pointed out that his extensive prosthetic make-up means he appears largely unrecognisable in the film, making it easier for viewers to focus on the character rather than the person behind it.
McNally also believes the film’s familiar story and feel-good Christmas setting could work in Depp’s favour, saying it could leave audiences with a positive impression of the actor.
There are already encouraging signs for the film. According to Puck News journalist Matthew Belloni, Ebenezer scored 86 out of 100 in a Paramount test screening in August, considerably higher than the reported average score of 67 for a lead character.
Box Office Theory has also forecast an opening weekend of US$22 million (RM16.4 million) and a total North American box-office collection exceeding US$100 million (RM74.8 million). The film reportedly has a production budget of US$38 million (RM28.4 million).
A representative for Depp told the BBC that audiences and the industry were “incredibly excited” about his return.
A strong performance could also open the door to bigger projects. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer told Deadline in August that the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was being relaunched, with Depp returning to lead the series.
The actor is also set to appear in Day Drinker, a supernatural thriller co-starring Penélope Cruz and directed by Marc Webb, which is scheduled for release in March next year.
For now, Ebenezer represents a significant test of whether Depp can turn his return to major studio filmmaking into a lasting Hollywood comeback.
