New York’s holiday season has officially met its biggest Grinch-like opponent. Johnny Depp surprised the Bryant Park crowd on Monday night, November 2, appearing in full costume and makeup as Ebenezer Scrooge to promote his upcoming film, Ebenezer. And judging by the performance, someone clearly forgot to tell Scrooge that Christmas is supposed to be merry.
The actor transformed the normally festive Manhattan destination into a scene straight out of Charles Dickens, complete with Victorian wardrobe, a seriously sour attitude and absolutely zero holiday spirit.
Johnny Depp Brings Scrooge’s Bad Mood to Bryant Park
Depp didn’t simply stroll through Bryant Park and wave to fans. Staying in character, he tossed Christmas cookies onto the ground, knocked over a decorated Christmas tree and got into confrontations with people around the square.
In other words, while New Yorkers were getting ready for hot chocolate, holiday shopping and the Winter Village, Scrooge was apparently ready to cancel Christmas altogether.
The surprise appearance quickly became a spectacle, with visitors capturing the unusual scene on their phones. It’s certainly one way to make an entrance — although probably not the best way to get invited to a holiday party.
Promoting the New Film Ebenezer
The appearance is part of the promotional campaign for Ebenezer, a new reimagining of Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Directed by Ti West, the film stars Depp as the famously miserly businessman, alongside Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin and Andrea Riseborough.
The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters November 13, bringing a darker supernatural spin to one of literature’s most recognizable holiday stories.
Depp previously surprised audiences as Scrooge at San Diego Comic-Con in July, so Bryant Park is the latest stop in his unconventional promotional tour.
For New Yorkers, it was an unexpected celebrity sighting. For Christmas cheer, it was a rather unfortunate evening.
Bah, humbug — Manhattan style.
