Johnny Depp’s long-awaited Hollywood return stirred both excitement and outrage after reports confirmed he was in final talks to lead a new film.
Three years after his highly publicised defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard, the actor is now ready to make his big-screen comeback in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a fresh take on Charles Dickens’ timeless story.
Depp was reportedly in negotiations to play the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, the cold-hearted businessman visited by ghosts who teach him the meaning of kindness and redemption.
The movie is made by Paramount Pictures and directed by Ti West, known for horror hits like Pearl and Maxxxine.
Actress Andrea Riseborough would also appear in the film, which is planned for release next November.
The news, however, left people divided, as some were furious, saying Depp did not deserve another big chance after the abuse claims made by Heard during their marriage.
One person wrote on X, “It’s so disgusting that this man still has a career after all he has done. I hope this movie flops.”
Another said, “Men really can do terrible things and still get work.”
Meanwhile, others are thrilled to see him return, calling him the perfect fit for the role. “Johnny Depp as Scrooge? Brilliant choice. He’ll nail that cold-hearted attitude,” one fan shared.
For the unversed, the film would be Johnny’s first big studio project since Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald in 2018, before he was dropped from the franchise.