Sir Ian McKellen fondly recalled working with Johnny Depp on” Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol“. In a recent interview, the acting legend praised the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star for his endearing qualities and willingness to help out fellow cast members. The upcoming film marks Depp’s first major Hollywood role following his widely publicized legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard.
Ian McKellen praises Johnny Depp after working together
At the premiere of his latest film, “The Christophers”, Sir Ian McKellen showered praise on Johnny Depp‘s acting capabilities. The “Lord of the Rings” star highlighted the “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” actor’s infectious personality that ensured a good time on the set of “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol”.
“He’s in spankingly good form,” McKellen said of his co-star to Variety. “Effervescent, funny, irreverent, serious — all at the same time.” The two-time Oscar nominee added that his experience with Depp was “a bit of a love fest.” He further stated, “I fell in love with him. He’s very obliging to his fellow actors. [There was] a wonderful feeling on the set.”
McKellen also briefly touched upon his involvement in filming. “It was only six days,” he recalled. “But it was well worth it. I play a ghost!”
“Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol” forays into theaters on November 13. The Christmas fantasy feature is helmed by Ti West, whose filmmaking credits include Mia Goth’s “X” trilogy (2022-2024), “The Roost”, “Trigger Man”, and “The Innkeepers”. Meanwhile, Nathaniel Halpern wrote the screenplay, based on Charles Dickens’ 1843 novel, “A Christmas Carol”.
Depp headlines as the eponymous protagonist, Ebenezer Scrooge, a lonely, miserly old man who despises Christmas. Meanwhile, McKellen takes on Jacob Marley, who in the book is Scrooge’s deceased former business partner. Marley’s ghost kicks off the narrative by visiting Scrooge on Christmas Eve and informing him of a chance at redemption, in which three spirits will visit him and put him on the path to becoming a kinder, gentler man.
Besides Depp and McKellen, the film also stars Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit, Andrea Riseborough as Ghost of Christmas Past, and Tramell Tillman as Ghost of Christmas Present. Rounding out the cast are Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Charlie Murphy, Arthur Conti, and Ellie Bamber.
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on Mandatory.
