Sir Ian McKellen “Fell in Love” With Johnny Depp While Filming EBENEZER: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
There’s something special happening on the set of Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, and if Sir Ian McKellen is to be believed, it’s the kind of magic that goes beyond the script.
The legendary actor recently opened up about working alongside Johnny Depp, and his reaction is the kind of praise that is sure to get fans excited about seeing another strong perofrmance from Depp.
Speaking at the premiere of The Christophers in New York, McKellen talked about Depp’s return to a major studio film. After years away from the Hollywood spotlight, Depp is stepping into the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, and according to McKellen, he’s absolutely delivering.
“He’s in spankingly good form,” McKellen told Variety. “Effervescent, funny, irreverent, serious — all at the same time. It was a bit of a love fest, really. I fell in love with him. He’s very obliging to his fellow actors. [There was] a wonderful feeling on the set.”
Those comments paint a picture of a set full of energy, collaboration, and a lead actor who’s fully locked in. For Depp, this film marks a major moment.
His last big Hollywood appearance was in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald back in 2018. Following a very public legal battle involving his ex-wife Amber Heard, and a 2022 U.S. jury ruling that found both parties defamed each other, Depp shifted his focus overseas.
He has taken on roles in smaller projects like Minamata and Jeanne du Barry, building his way back toward larger productions. Now, with Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, he’s front and center again.
The film itself comes from director Ti West, who’s putting a fresh spin on the classic Charles Dickens story. The cast is stacked with great talent, including Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit, Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Tramell Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and McKellen himself as Jacob Marley.
McKellen seems to have had a blast with his role, even if it was brief. He said: “It was only six days, but it was well worth it,” McKellen said. “I play a ghost! [chuckles]”
While he’s hyping up Ebenezer, McKellen is also busy promoting The Christophers, a dark comedy directed by Steven Soderbergh. In the film, he plays an aging painter whose estranged children hatch a scheme involving a forged legacy after his death. The cast also includes Michaela Coel and James Corden.
McKellen shared a bit about connecting to the role, bringing his usual honesty to the conversation, saying: “I don’t really connect my life with his, except that he’s getting old — and I am old.
“The future is uncertain- but no, it’s certain. I’m going to die. And that hovers over his life and kids’ expectations of what might happen when he dies. Will they or will they not inherit paintings they can sell? I just had a ball.”
The Christophers hits theaters on April 10, but it’s Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol that’s shaping up to be one of the more fascinating projects to keep an eye on. Between Depp’s long-awaited return and McKellen’s glowing endorsement, this reimagining of a holiday classic might end up being a great film!