New Photos Reveal Johnny Depp’s Most Surprising Transformation Yet in a ‘Christmas Carol’

Johnny Depp is back on set, and fans are already talking. New photos from London show the actor looking almost impossible to recognize while filming a new take on A Christmas Carol. The images surfaced online on January 28 and quickly spread across social media.

According to PEOPLE, the photos were taken during a nighttime shoot in London. Depp is playing Ebenezer Scrooge, and his look is far from familiar. He is seen wearing a heavy blue coat over dark clothes, along with loose black pants that look like pajamas. Thick makeup and facial prosthetics make him appear much older, with deep lines and a tired expression.

His hair is gray and unkempt, partly hidden under a dark nightcap. The overall look feels dark and worn down, fitting the character’s gloomy life. Depp was also photographed filming scenes with Andrea Riseborough, who plays the Ghost of Christmas Past. She appears pale and ghostlike, dressed in white with heavy makeup that gives her an eerie presence.

The film is titled Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol and is being made by Paramount Pictures. Deadline reports that the movie is directed by Ti West, the filmmaker behind the horror movies X and Pearl. This version of the story is expected to lean more into horror and supernatural elements rather than being a warm holiday tale.

The story will still follow Scrooge as he is forced to face his past, present, and future. But this time, the journey is said to feel darker and more intense, closer to a true ghost story. The goal is to show how Scrooge fights for a second chance before it is too late.

First look at Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’. pic.twitter.com/XaNAJM8TpN

— Filmento (@TheFilmento) January 31, 2026

This role marks a major moment for Depp. It is his first leading role in a big Hollywood studio film in several years. The cast around him is also packed with well-known names. Ian McKellen plays Jacob Marley, while Rupert Grint takes on the role of Bob Cratchit. Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Tramell Tillman, and others also appear in the film.

The movie already has a release date set for November 13, placing it right in the middle of the holiday season. Paramount appears confident that this darker version will stand out among the many past adaptations.

Outside of this project, Depp has slowly returned to high-profile work. He recently starred in the thriller Day Drinker with Penélope Cruz and directed a film about artist Amedeo Modigliani called Modì. He has also been spotted attending events in Japan and working on a graphic novel with Ridley Scott.

There is also ongoing talk about a possible return to Pirates of the Caribbean, though nothing has been officially confirmed. For now, all eyes are on his transformation into Scrooge.

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