Johnny Depp Surprises Comic-Con Fans as Ebenezer Scrooge

Depp’s Surprise Appearance as Ebenezer Scrooge

Remaining in character throughout the event, Depp interacted with the gathered crowd, wearing a black top hat, Victorian-style clothing, and carrying a cane. According to reports, he addressed onlookers by asking, Do you have jobs? It seems as though you have so much spare time. Why are you here? He further engaged the audience by shouting Merry Christmas! and Happy New Year! while also making a joke regarding tariffs.

Following his appearance in the Gaslamp Quarter, Depp reportedly interrupted a Directors on Directing panel in Hall H to continue promoting the film. The surprise stunt served as a marketing launch for the Paramount Pictures production, which is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 13, 2026.

Film Details and Production

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is directed by Ti West and features a screenplay written by Nathaniel Halpern. In addition to Depp, the cast includes Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Rupert Grint, and Andrea Riseborough.

A trailer for the film was released on Thursday, coinciding with the promotional stunt. In the footage, captions note that the actor has previously portrayed characters such as Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, and the Mad Hatter. The trailer concludes with Depp’s character whispering to the camera, It’s good to be back.

Context of the Actor’s Return

This event marked Depp’s third visit to San Diego Comic-Con. He previously attended in 2009 for the Disney film Alice in Wonderland and in 2018, where he appeared in character as Gellert Grindelwald to promote Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

The actor has been increasingly selective about his public appearances in recent years following a period of legal challenges and public scrutiny. Since his 2022 defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp has made appearances at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to promote Jeanne du Barry, the 2025 Red Sea Film Festival, and CinemaCon in April 2026.

According to Marca and Indiatimes, this project represents his return to a major studio film production after an extended absence from the screen.

Public and Industry Reaction

The appearance generated significant attention on social media, with reactions ranging from praise for the actor’s commitment to his craft to criticism regarding his history in Hollywood. While some fans expressed excitement for the upcoming holiday film, others utilized the moment to discuss the industry’s approach to casting and public perception.

The promotional strategy, which favored a guerrilla-style installation over a traditional Q&A panel, was noted by industry observers as an effective way to secure attention amidst a crowded convention schedule that included major superhero showcases and other studio activations. As noted by Deadline and Comingsoon, the event underscored the ongoing relationship between the actor and the film industry.