Johnny Depp surprises Comic-Con fans as Scrooge, jokes about tariffs

Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con to promote his upcoming Christmas film, Ebenezer, appearing in full costume as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Dressed in Victorian clothing and old-age makeup, Depp stayed in character while interacting with fans and performers in a festive display in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Speaking in an English accent, he complained about Christmas decorations, calling garlands "poison" and tearing some from a nearby gate.

When another performer said they were trying to spread Christmas cheer, Depp joked about tariffs, saying the decorations were on his property and that people would have to pay tax on them.

Ebenezer, directed by X and Pearl filmmaker Ti West, marks Depp's first major Hollywood studio film since his legal battle with former wife Amber Heard. The defamation case ended in 2022, with a jury ruling that Heard had defamed Depp in a newspaper opinion piece. The two later reached a settlement after Heard appealed.

Speaking earlier this year at CinemaCon, Depp said he was honoured but nervous to play Scrooge because he admired Alastair Sim's famous 1951 performance. He praised director Ti West for bringing a fresh approach to the classic story.

The film also stars Andrea Riseborough, Rupert Grint, Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Charlie Murphy, Arthur Conti and Ellie Bamber. Ebenezer is due to be released in cinemas on 13 November.