Ebenezer is already making headlines because of Johnny Depp‘s involvement. However, Ebenezer’s bigger issue involves its source material, not its star’s legal transgressions.
Paramount Pictures released a new trailer for Ebenezer, Ti West‘s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Depp stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy businessman who gets an unusual shot at redemption through a journey with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. The footage teases a story that combines witty humor with West’s affinity for horror.
Any project with Depp brings with it the controversies surrounding the actor. In this case, the more difficult challenge lies with making people care about a story that’s been told dozens of times.
Making audiences care about Scrooge again is Ebenezer’s biggest challengeDepp is a polarizing figure following his legal transgressions, which involve domestic abuse and violence allegations from ex-wife Amber Heard. That will always follow Depp for the rest of his career.
As for the movie itself, Ebenezer has to prove to audiences that A Christmas Carol is worthy of another feature film adaptation. There are more than 100 movies, TV movies, and specials based on Dickens’ novella. That includes direct adaptations like 1951’s Scrooge, 1992’s The Muppet Christmas Carol, and 2009’s A Christmas Carol (animated). A Christmas Carol also has numerous alternate adaptations, where Dickens’ story inspires a different tale. Famous examples include 1988’s Scrooged and 2022’s Spirited.
For a story told dozens of times, do audiences still care about Dickens’ famous novella? What sets this adaptation apart from the other movies and shows? West putting more of a supernatural horror spin might help differentiate this adaptation. However, the horror elements might turn away families looking for a holiday movie to enjoy with their kids at the theaters.
In today’s Hollywood landscape, movies need to be eventized. Ebenezer is a popular tale with a divisive star and an unknown director to mainstream audiences. I’m not sure that’s enough to get people out of their homes and into their theaters. Let’s just say the Paramount marketing team is going to be working around the clock during Ebenezer’s promotional tour. They might even have to work on Christmas – sorry, Mr. Cratchit.
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