Fifteen years after making his film debut alongside Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Sam Claflin found himself back in the same room as the iconic actor—this time for the upcoming holiday film Ebenezer. In a recent chat with Collider, Claflin shared the full-circle moment that left him feeling like he truly belonged in Hollywood.
Directed by Ti West, Ebenezer reimagines Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol with Depp as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, haunted by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Andrea Riseborough), Present (Tramell Tillman), and Future (Robert Strange). The star-studded cast also includes Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint, and Daisy Ridley. Claflin plays Fred, Scrooge's nephew, a role that brought him face-to-face with his former co-star for the first time in over a decade.
A Nervous Beginning
Claflin's first experience on a major film set was anything but smooth. He recalled arriving in Hawaii for the Pirates read-through, feeling like a "rabbit in headlights." Seated between Penélope Cruz and Johnny Depp, he was so overwhelmed he could barely look up from his script. "I was terrified," he admitted. "I remember him sort of patting me on the back at one point, basically saying, 'It's okay. Calm, calm.'"
Fast forward to the Ebenezer read-through, and the nerves were replaced by a moment of pure joy. As Depp entered the room, he spotted Claflin, did a double-take, and reached across Ian McKellen to shake his hand. "He was like, 'Good to see you.' And I was like, 'He remembers me!'" Claflin said. "There was a moment of going, 'Okay, I belong. I feel like I belong now.' It was a really nice touch. Such a gent. Such a great guy."
Working with a Legend
Claflin also opened up about what it's like to act opposite Depp, who is known for his improvisational style and playful antics on set. "There was a lot of playfulness that he brought to this one, too," Claflin said. "He had maybe too much fun with a prop of a dead goose. It keeps you on your toes, but it didn't affect me in a negative way. If anything, it brought more joy to the set."
Claflin praised Depp's ability to keep things light, calling him "the ringleader" and "a great role model." He added, "He's someone who doesn't take things too seriously, and I love that in him. Filmmaking should be fun and enjoyable."
A Wild New Role
Beyond Ebenezer, Claflin teased his upcoming role in Taylor Sheridan's action thriller F.A.S.T., directed by Ben Richardson. Claflin revealed he originally auditioned for one part but was offered a different, wilder character—a risk he's excited about. "I took a punt and took a big risk," he said. "People who've seen it are like, 'Wow, this is wild. What a departure for you.'"
While he couldn't reveal much about the plot, Claflin promised it was "a hell of a lot of fun" and a role that gave him plenty of room to play. "I hope it pays off," he added with a laugh.
Ebenezer hits theaters on November 13. For more on Claflin's career, check out our earlier interview about his F.A.S.T. role, and for more on Depp's take on Scrooge, see what he said about Jack Sparrow meeting Scrooge.
