Johnny Depp brought some very un-Christmas-like energy to New York City this week. But the apparent holiday meltdown was not what it first looked like. The actor was fully in character as Ebenezer Scrooge, turning a festive Bryant Park appearance into a chaotic promotion for his upcoming movie, Ebenezer.
Johnny Depp surprises New Yorkers as Ebenezer Scrooge
Footage from the stunt showed Depp wandering through Bryant Park in his full Scrooge costume and makeup. He tossed Christmas cookies to the ground, knocked over a decorated tree and argued with people around the square, all while staying committed to the famously miserable character.
The performance took place Monday, Nov. 2, ahead of Ebenezer’s Nov. 13 theatrical release. Just Jared reported that Depp surprised unsuspecting New Yorkers during the appearance, turning the normally cheerful holiday setting into Scrooge territory.
This was not Depp’s first public appearance as the Charles Dickens character. In July, he also showed up at San Diego Comic-Con dressed as Scrooge while promoting the film. Depp roamed a Victorian-style setup in costume and stayed in character while interacting with the crowd.
The Johnny Depp Christmas stunt also gave fans another close look at his dramatic transformation for the role. Earlier this year, set photos revealed Depp under heavy makeup and prosthetics, complete with gray-streaked hair and period clothing that made him difficult to recognize.
Ebenezer is directed by Ti West and reimagines Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Paramount’s official synopsis says the story follows Scrooge through encounters with his past, present, and future. Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen are also among the cast.
So, while the Johnny Depp New York scene looked like one man declaring war on Christmas cheer, it was really a carefully staged promotional moment. The Bryant Park spectacle certainly gave Depp’s Ebenezer plenty of room to live up to his “bah, humbug” reputation.
