Johnny Depp Takes Major Pay Cut for Hollywood Comeback in ‘Ebenezer’

WHO:

Yahoo - Mark O’Meara owns Fairfax’s University Mall and Cinema Arts theaters; he said local patrons’ reactions to *Ebenezer* range from enthusiasm to “Meh.”

Yahoo - Kevin Goetz, founder and CEO of Screen Engine/ASI, said, “Audiences don't care. He's still one of the biggest movie stars on the planet.”

Yahoo - Eduardo Acuna is Regal’s CEO; Chris Johnson is Classic Cinemas’ CEO.

NY Post - Johnny Depp is returning to a major film role in *Ebenezer*.

NY Post - Amber Heard is identified as Depp’s ex-wife.

Coming Soon - Johnny Depp addressed his absence from major studio projects.

TMZ - Variety reported Depp’s salary for *Ebenezer*.

WHAT:

Yahoo - *Ebenezer*, a new take on *A Christmas Carol* starring Depp as Scrooge, is tracking for about $20 million domestically and another $20 million overseas across 63 markets.

Yahoo - Paramount spent $38 million to produce *Ebenezer*; Depp’s $5 million salary includes the possibility of box-office bonuses, and marketing expenses were around $50 million.

Yahoo - An April 2026 National Research Group study ranked Depp among the top 10 actors most likely to make participants interested in seeing a future movie in a cinema, ahead of Tom Hanks and behind Margot Robbie.

Yahoo - Depp’s next film is Lionsgate’s 2027 action thriller *Day Drinker*, co-starring Penélope Cruz.

Yahoo - Disney is considering the potential backlash around *Ebenezer* before deciding whether to greenlight another *Pirates of the Caribbean* movie.

Yahoo - Depp said of a possible return to *Pirates of the Caribbean*, “the only involvement I really want to have, truly, is just to send them off on a better note.”

Yahoo - *Ebenezer* was directed by Ti West; Depp made a surprise, character-costumed appearance at San Diego Comic-Con and threw candy to attendees.

NY Post - *Ebenezer* marks Depp’s first major film since he won his defamation case against Amber Heard.

TMZ - Depp reportedly filmed *Ebenezer* for a $5 million salary, described as a major pay cut and a small fraction of what he earned for major blockbusters.

Coming Soon - Depp addressed questions about his years-long absence from major studio projects in connection with his new film, *Ebenezer*.

WHERE:

Yahoo - O’Meara’s theaters are in Fairfax, Virginia.

WHY:

Coming Soon - Depp discussed his years-long absence from major studio projects ahead of *Ebenezer*’s premiere.

HOW:

TMZ - Variety was the source of the report about Depp’s $5 million salary for *Ebenezer*.

(UPDATED November 11, 2026 10:00 UTC)

Johnny Depp returns to major studio films as Scrooge in the new movie *Ebenezer*. The film is tracking for about $40 million worldwide, against $38 million in production costs. Depp says audiences still care, while theaters report reactions ranging from enthusiasm to indifference.

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(UPDATED November 11, 2026 05:03 UTC)

Johnny Depp is returning to major films with *Ebenezer*, his first major project since winning his defamation case. He addressed his years-long absence from major studio projects while discussing the new film. Depp reportedly earned $5 million for *Ebenezer*, far less than his blockbuster pay.