Johnny Depp Ebenezer Scrooge movie first reactions ‘They love him’
Back in 2018, Johnny Depp was dropped from the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts franchises over accusations of domestic abuse made by his ex-wife, which he always strongly denied. Yet after winning his US libel case against her, the Jack Sparrow star has slowly but surely been making his return to filmmaking.
After a couple of European indies, his first Hollywood studio film in several years is a gothic take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The 63-year-old stars in Ebenezer as Scrooge and the first reactions have landed from a test screening in New Jersey.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
According to Punk News’ Matthew Belloni and his three sources, Ebenezer scored 80, which means that 4/5s of the audience thought the Paramount film was very good or excellent. Most movies test-screen at around 72, with the Top 10% reaching 93 or higher.
The news gets even better for Depp’s Hollywood comeback when it came to his personal audience rating. The insider reported, “They loved him: Depp scored an 86, very high for any actor—the general norm for a lead character is a 67—let alone a guy who just a few years ago was considered banished and unemployable.” The star even scored 90 with women over 35, presumably the demographic who grew up with him as their big-screen heartthrob.
Belloni then went on to address Depp being in talks for Pirates of the Caribbean 6, as revealed by producer Jerry Bruckheimer at D23 last weekend.
Rumour has it, Depp will play a supporting role to Margot Robbie, who still hasn’t signed on fully after three or four drafts of the script. The insider added: “If Depp is now in the mix, the trick for producer Jerry Bruckheimer will be delivering a script where Robbie is front and center to her satisfaction, while also leaving room for Depp’s Jack Sparrow as a supporting character.”
Ebenezer hits UK cinemas on November 13, 2026.