San Diego Comic-Con just got a jolt of holiday spirit—or rather, a miserly dose of "Bah, humbug!" Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance at the convention, fully transformed into Ebenezer Scrooge, to unveil the first trailer for director Ti West's upcoming film Ebenezer. The crowd at the Collider's Directors on Directing Panel was electrified as Depp, in full Scrooge regalia, strode out to present the footage.
The trailer opens with Depp's Scrooge terrorizing the townsfolk, delivering a knowing wink to the camera and the line, "It's good to be back." From there, the footage leans heavily into irreverent humor, showing Scrooge pelting people with snowballs and reveling in his general misery. The Ghosts of Christmas begin haunting him in his bedroom, culminating in a surreal moment where his bed seems to swallow him whole. Meanwhile, Tiny Tim's family raises a heartfelt toast, and Scrooge's nephew Fred repeatedly tries to wish him a Merry Christmas, only to be cut off by Scrooge's trademark "Bah, humbug!"
Written by Nathaniel Halpern, known for Legion and Tales From the Loop, the film promises a bold new twist on Charles Dickens' classic tale. The tagline on the poster teases: "Before he was Scrooge, he was Ebenezer." This suggests a deeper dive into the backstory that hardened the boy into the flint-like man—his lonely childhood, apprenticeship under Fezziwig, failed relationship with Belle, and the choices that left him consumed by wealth and isolation.
For director Ti West, known for his work on lower-budget horror films like The House of the Devil, Pearl, X, and MaXXXine, Ebenezer marks an unexpected and exciting turn. Depp, meanwhile, steps into a role previously played by icons like Alastair Sim, George C. Scott, Michael Caine, Patrick Stewart, and Jim Carrey. The film is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated festive releases of the year.
Depp's appearance itself was a spectacle. Lightning struck the darkened room before Scrooge himself walked out to his adoring public. In true miserly fashion, he offered the audience two handfuls of candy that he threw on the floor, saying, "Have at it!" It was a perfect, playful nod to his character's stinginess.
For fans of fantasy and holiday films, this is a must-watch. If you're looking for more magical worlds, check out our ranking of The Most Influential Fantasy Books of All Time, Ranked or explore The 15 Best Fantasy TV Shows of the Last 15 Years, Ranked. And for more Comic-Con buzz, don't miss the Percy Jackson Season 3 First Footage Reveals 'The Titan's Curse' Adventure at Comic-Con.
With its blend of dark humor, holiday nostalgia, and a fresh take on a beloved character, Ebenezer is poised to be a standout. Stay tuned for more updates as the film's release approaches.
