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Paramount releases new trailer for Ti West's 'Ebenezer' starring Johnny Depp

Paramount released a new trailer on 1 October for 'Ebenezer', Ti West's dark take on 'A Christmas Carol' with Johnny Depp as Scrooge, due in theaters 13 November. Outlets differ on whether it is the first full trailer or the second.

3 outlets · 1L · 2C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: Deadline
Image: Variety
Image: Screen Rant

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The story, neutrally told

Paramount released a new trailer for "Ebenezer" on 1 October 2026, a darker adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" directed by Ti West and starring Johnny Depp as Scrooge. Deadline described the 1 October release as the first full trailer, while Variety called it a second trailer. The film is due in theaters on 13 November 2026.

Variety says West, known for the horror trilogy "X", focuses on the darker aspects of the story, with Depp's character haunted by scary ghosts and buried alive, and gives the logline "The name you know, the story you don't." Nathaniel Halpern adapted the Dickens story, and the cast includes Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint, Sam Claflin and Daisy Ridley, with Andrea Riseborough, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy and Tramell Tillman also named. Deadline's original July post, kept under its update, said Depp appeared in character as Scrooge at San Diego Comic-Con and showed a trailer at Collider's Directors on Directing panel in Hall H, and it compared the film's look to Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd".

Variety presents the film as a major comeback vehicle for Depp, whose last Hollywood studio film was 2018's "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald", and who has not starred in one since his 2022 trial against Amber Heard, in which he was awarded $10 million in compensatory and $5 million in punitive damages and Heard $2 million in compensatory damages. Variety adds that Depp's next film is "Day Drinker" from Lionsgate, set for March 2027.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Variety frames the trailer as part of Depp's Hollywood comeback, putting his absence from studio films and the Heard trial in context.
Emphasis
Depp's career context, the dark tone, the full ensemble and his next film.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the July Comic-Con trailer showing or Depp's in-character appearance.
Charged language
“major comeback vehicle”“highly publicized”
For example
“The film is also a major comeback vehicle for Depp, who hasn’t starred in a Hollywood studio film since his highly publicized 2022 trial” — Variety

Centre2 outlets

Framing
Deadline and Screen Rant treat it as a promotional and film-news item; Deadline is playful and focused on Depp's Comic-Con stunt, Screen Rant is brief and cast-focused.
Emphasis
Deadline: Comic-Con appearance, the look of the film, Depp's character work. Screen Rant: director and cast list.
Leaves out or plays down
Neither mentions the Heard trial or Depp's absence from studio films.
Charged language
“Hysterical”“method”
For example
“Hysterical is all we have to say: Depp is so method, you can’t even make out what he is saying, in complete mumble.” — Deadline
“The holiday movie features a massive ensemble cast.” — Screen Rant

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.