Johnny Depp is unrecognizable as Ebenezer Scrooge in photos from surprise Comic-Con appearance

Johnny Depp gave San Diego Comic-Con attendees one of the convention's biggest surprises when he emerged in full costume as Ebenezer Scrooge, stepping into the iconic Charles Dickens character to promote his upcoming Paramount film, 'Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol.' Rather than appearing as himself, Depp stayed in character throughout the event, delighting fans with a series of gruff one-liners and theatrical interactions.

The 63-year-old actor appeared outside a storefront transformed into 'Scrooge and Marley' in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, where Paramount had recreated a Victorian-inspired holiday scene complete with faux snow and Christmas decorations. Fans began gathering hours before the scheduled appearance, while Christmas carolers entertained the crowd in anticipation of the mystery guest.

When Depp finally stepped outside, he was nearly unrecognizable beneath elaborate prosthetic makeup. Wearing Scrooge's signature black overcoat, tall top hat and carrying a cane, he sported a hooked nose, bushy eyebrows, patchy gray facial hair and weathered features that transformed him into the miserly businessman. The dramatic makeover offered fans their first real look at his portrayal ahead of the film's November 13 theatrical release.

Instead of greeting the cheering crowd as himself, Depp fully embraced Scrooge's famously grumpy personality. As onlookers called out "Good day to you, Mr Scrooge," Depp shot back in a raspy voice, "What's so good about it?" When he noticed hundreds of fans waiting outside the storefront, he mockingly asked, "Have you no jobs? It seems as though you have so much spare time. Why are you here?" before punctuating the exchange with Scrooge's trademark dismissal: "Humbug!"

During the appearance, Depp also mixed in a few topical jokes while roaming the Scrooge and Marley storefront. After pulling decorative garlands from a gate and declaring, "These are poison! Keep these away from children," the actor launched into a riff about property, taxes and tariffs. "That's on my property, which means that I own it. And you're paying tax on it being there. 'Cause everybody has to pay all that stuff. Putting tariffs on the gate," he quipped. The remarks prompted some attendees to interpret the joke as a playful nod to President Donald Trump's tariff policies, though Depp did not mention the president by name.

After reinventing the slasher genre with 'X,' 'Pearl,' and 'MaXXXine,' filmmaker Ti West is turning his attention to another classic—this time with a decidedly gothic spin. 'Ebenezer' looks set to move far beyond the warm, sentimental holiday adaptations audiences know, embracing darker visuals, psychological horror and Victorian atmosphere. Paramount first unveiled footage from the project at CinemaCon in Las Vegas earlier this year, where Depp spoke about the personal significance of taking on the role. "It really has been an extraordinary privilege. I have been obsessed with Scrooge since I was a little child," the actor said during the presentation. Months later, at San Diego Comic-Con, Depp reunited with West to unveil the film's first full trailer in Hall H. Remaining firmly in character as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, he greeted the crowd with a deadpan quip, "Have you all no lives?"—setting the tone for a promotional event that felt more like immersive theater than a conventional trailer launch.