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Johnny Depp Returns as Scrooge at Comic-Con, Sparks Comeback

7/24/2026

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Summary

Johnny Depp Returns

Johnny Depp appeared as Ebenezer Scrooge at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23, 2026.
It was his first Comic-Con appearance since July 2018 and his first studio-lead role in eight years.
Depp introduced the ‘Ebenezer’ trailer, quipped “It’s good to be back,” and joked about President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The surprise stunt generated massive online reaction and is being called a turning point in Depp’s comeback.

Summary

Ti West Directs

Ti West directs a new “A Christmas Carol” film, with Nathaniel Halpern writing the script, Emma Watts producing, and David Reid and Andrew Lary serving as executive producers.
Rupert Grint plays Bob Cratchit, while Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman and Daisy Ridley portray the three Christmas ghosts.
Warner Bros. is developing a Robert Eggers-directed “A Christmas Carol” starring Willem Dafoe, with no rivalry expected between the two versions.

History

Historical Context

The 2026 Warner Bros. Comic-Con stunt for Johnny Depp’s ‘A Christmas Carol’, directed by Ti West and co-starring Rupert Grint and Daisy Ridley, mirrors the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con debut of Iron Man 3. That film, released in May 2013, earned $1.215 billion worldwide and showed how convention reveals can launch franchise blockbusters, a model later used for other franchise releases.

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Johnny Depp Returns

Johnny Depp appeared as Ebenezer Scrooge at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23, 2026.
It was his first Comic-Con appearance since July 2018 and his first studio-lead role in eight years.
Depp introduced the ‘Ebenezer’ trailer, quipped “It’s good to be back,” and joked about President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The surprise stunt generated massive online reaction and is being called a turning point in Depp’s comeback.

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