Johnny Depp made an unexpected return to San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026. The actor appeared in character as Ebenezer Scrooge to promote Paramount’s upcoming film Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol.
The appearance was kept secret before Depp arrived at a specially constructed Victorian-style set outside the convention. It marked his first Comic-Con appearance since 2018 and became one of the event’s most widely discussed celebrity surprises.
Johnny Depp Appears as Scrooge
Depp reportedly spent around three hours in makeup before appearing as the elderly Charles Dickens character. His costume, facial prosthetics and mannerisms allowed him to perform the promotional stunt without immediately looking like his familiar public self.
Rather than delivering a standard panel interview, Depp interacted with fans while remaining in character. The approach introduced the film’s dark, theatrical style and gave Comic-Con visitors a live preview of his version of Scrooge.
Johnny Depp Makes a Trump Tariff Joke
During the improvised performance, Depp made a joke referring to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. The political reference came while Depp’s Scrooge character was inspecting and removing decorations from the set.
The remark was brief and delivered as part of the performance rather than a prepared political speech. Audience members recognized the reference and laughed, leading several outlets to describe it as a swipe at Trump.
Johnny Depp’s Past Trump Controversies
By Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13286526
Depp has made controversial comments about Trump before. He portrayed him in a 2016 comedy parody and later apologized after making a poorly received joke about an actor assassinating a president during a 2017 festival appearance.
The Comic-Con remark was far less serious and focused on trade policy. Still, Depp’s earlier history meant that even a short improvised joke quickly became a separate headline from the movie he was promoting.
Johnny Depp’s New Ebenezer Film
Ebenezer presents another screen adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Depp plays the wealthy and emotionally isolated Ebenezer Scrooge, who is forced to examine his past, present and future.
The movie is scheduled for theatrical release in November. Early promotional material suggests a darker interpretation of the familiar Christmas story, combining supernatural imagery with Depp’s history of playing eccentric and visually transformed characters.
Johnny Depp’s New Co-Stars
The film is directed by Ti West, known for horror projects including X and Pearl. Its cast includes Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough and Daisy Ridley.
That ensemble gives the production a mixture of prestige drama, fantasy and genre experience. Paramount’s elaborate Comic-Con promotion also suggests that the studio plans to position the movie as a major holiday release rather than a small independent comeback project for Depp.
Johnny Depp’s Hollywood Comeback
Ebenezer is being described as Depp’s first major American studio film in several years. His career slowed after highly publicized legal disputes involving former wife Amber Heard, even as he continued appearing in independent and international projects.
The trailer’s emphasis on Scrooge returning has been interpreted as a deliberate reference to Depp’s own comeback. Supporters welcomed the appearance, while critics questioned Hollywood’s willingness to restore his former status.
Johnny Depp’s Comic-Con Reaction
The event succeeded in generating attention for both Depp and the film. Fans surrounded the set, and many dressed as characters from his earlier movies responded enthusiastically when they realized who was performing.
The Trump joke became a viral detail, but it was only one part of a carefully planned promotional return. The larger story was Depp’s decision to re-enter a major studio event in full costume rather than through a conventional celebrity interview.
Featured Image: Shutterstock
Leave a Reply