Paramount in final talks to make Ebenezer A Christmas Carol with Depp

Paramount Pictures is in final negotiations to produce Ebenezer A Christmas Carol, a new adaptation of Charles Dickens's 1843 novella, with filmmaker Ti West set to direct and Johnny Depp expected to play the title role of Ebenezer Scrooge. The studio is targeting a November 13, 2026 theatrical release, and Andrea Riseborough is attached to co-star, with a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern and Emma Watts producing. Stephen Deuters and Jason Forman are listed as executive producers.

The project is being described by studio representatives as a ghost story set in 19th century London that follows a man’s supernatural journey to confront his past, present and future and seek a second chance. For West, known for the horror films X, Pearl and MaXXXine, the picture would represent his first major studio feature and a shift from his recent independent genre work to a larger period project. For Depp, the role would mark a return to a studio tentpole after several years largely devoted to independent films.

Paramount’s move comes amid at least one competing adaptation in development at another studio. A separate A Christmas Carol project is being developed with a different director and a...