Hollywood heartthrob shocks fans with unrecognizable look at Comic-Con

A Hollywood heartthrob who was previously named Sєxiest Man Alive twice looked unrecognizable as he made a surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con this week. 

Johnny Depp, 63, shocked onlookers on Thursday as he stepped out dressed as his character Ebenezer Scrooge to promote the upcoming movie Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, which hits theaters later this year on November 13. 

A mock storefront was built in the middle of the iconic Gaslamp district in San Diego and was covered in fake snow for the event. 

A large crowd had gathered at the small set before Depp emerged from a door as carolers sang beloved Christmas songs. 

The actor donned Victorian-era clothing which included a long blue overcoat as well as a black top hat. 

He maintained a grouchy demeanor as he stayed in character, despite fans sending love to the star during the special moment, per a video shared by ᴅᴇᴀᴅline. 

Johnny Depp, 63, looked unrecognizable as he made a surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con this week

The Hollywood heartthrob shocked fans as he stepped out dressed as his character Ebenezer Scrooge to promote the upcoming movie Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol

Depp, who has been named People Magazine’s Sєxiest Man Alive in 2003 and 2009, looked worlds away from his usual suave red carpet look; seen in December 2025 

One called out, ‘Good day to you, Mr. Scrooge,’ which prompted Depp to reply, ‘What’s so good about it?’ 

At one point, the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor questioned why there were people gathered outside of the store in another clip obtained by the outlet. 

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The acknowledgement, however, only caused fans to erupt into loud cheers and continue to send love to the star.

Depp flashed a quick smirk before jumping back into character as he began stepping back through the storefront door while angrily mumbling to himself. 

But before he slammed it shut, he paused and peeked his head out to glance around at the crowd once again. 

He then yelled out Scrooge’s famous line, ‘Humbug!’ and disappeared behind the closed wooden door. 

Depp continued to don the costume as he stepped onto the stage during Collider’s Directors on Directing panel during Comic-Con. 

He strolled in front of the audience while holding a candle as a thicker coat was draped over his shoulders. The actor also moved about as his character used a light brown cane. 

The actor rocked a grey wig and top hat

He maintained a grouchy demeanor as he stayed in character, despite fans sending love to the star during the special moment, per a video shared by ᴅᴇᴀᴅline

One called out, ‘Good day to you, Mr. Scrooge,’ which prompted Depp to reply, ‘What’s so good about it?’

Depp continued to don the costume as he stepped onto the stage during Collider’s Directors on Directing panel during Comic-Con

The actor also moved about as his character used a light brown cane

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol was directed by Ti West, who is also known for films such as X, Pearl and MaXXXine

Depp, who had been named People Magazine’s Sєxiest Man Alive in 2003 and 2009, looked nearly unrecognizable as he also sported what appeared to be a wig as well as thick gray sideburns.

Daily Mail reached out to reps of Depp for comment, but has yet to hear back. 

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol was directed by Ti West, who is also known for films such as X, Pearl and MaXXXine. 

Other stars that have been cast in the project include Harry Potter alum Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen. 

The movie is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novel. 

Back in April, McKellen recalled working alongside Depp on set of the forthcoming Christmas fantasy film.

‘He’s in spankingly good form,’ The Lord Of The Rings alum told Variety at the time. ‘Effervescent, funny, irreverent, serious – all at the same time.’ 

The actor added, ‘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.’ 

Depp has slowly been returning to the spotlight and the big screen following his 2022 defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard; seen in 2015 in Toronto

Grint also discussed being a part of West’s project as well as collaborating with ‘amazing’ Depp while talking to The Hollywood Reporter in February. 

‘It’s obviously a story that everyone knows, and there’ve been lots of adaptations in the past, and this just feels very different.’ 

He expressed that, ‘It feels very faithful, but it has Ti’s signature on it, and Johnny’s amazing. He’s doing some really interesting things.’ 

Depp has slowly been returning to the spotlight and the big screen following his 2022 defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard. 

Following a highly-publicized trial, Heard was ordered to pay Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages.

She was also awarded $2 million in compensatory damages for her countersuit against the actor.

Depp took on a leading role in the 2023 historical drama Jeanne de Barry, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. 

He took on a leading role in the 2023 historical drama Jeanne de Barry, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival (seen above)

The following year, he stepped behind the camera to direct and produce the 2024 biographical film Modi, Three Days On The Wing Of Madness. 

Aside from Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, Depp has also taken on a major role in the upcoming action thriller Day Drinker which is set to release in 2027. 

He joins other cast members such as Penelope Cruz and Madelyn Cline. 

Last year, Lionsgate dropped a first look at Depp in character for the project as he sported silver hair, a bushy gray beard and blue contacts.