The iconic character Ebenezer Scrooge, known for his miserly ways in Charles Dickens’ classic tale, has made the leap from fiction to social media with the creation of a real Venmo account. This unusual promotional strategy is part of the marketing campaign for Ti West’s upcoming film “Ebenezer,” which stars Johnny Depp in the titular role.
Scrooge’s Venmo Venture
The film’s marketing team announced the Venmo account on X, inviting users to interact with the character. The post states, “Ebenezer Scrooge is now on @venmo. Think he’s feeling generous? 💰 Send a request: https://venmo.com/u/EBENEZERmovie,” and features a video showcasing people making various monetary requests alongside Scrooge’s notoriously frugal responses.
Penny Pinching Scrooge
However, it seems that Scrooge remains as tight-fisted as ever, as a couple of staff members from Variety experienced issues when attempting to request funds. They received an error message stating, “We’re sorry the transaction could not be completed. Please contact the person you’re trying to pay.” In response, Variety has reached out to Paramount Pictures to clarify if the Venmo account is operational, if it crashed due to high traffic, or if it was merely a promotional gimmick.
Payments to Scrooge
While Scrooge seems unwilling to distribute money, his public Venmo feed displays transactions made out to him. Contributions include playful messages such as, “For cheers and joy! (And maybe a little luck please)” and “$ Retainer Fee — for the Ghost of Christmas Past to haunt my exes with a little bah humbug spirit.” These messages suggest a humorous engagement with the character’s persona, as users pay him to boost his typically bleak holiday spirit.
About the Film
“Ebenezer” is set to be released in theaters on November 13, promising a fresh take on a familiar story, encapsulated in the line: “The name you know, the story you don’t.” The film, directed by West—renowned for his work in horror filmmaking—explores darker themes within the classic narrative, featuring Depp as a Scrooge who encounters frightening apparitions and faces grave consequences, including being buried alive.
Depp’s Return to Hollywood
For Depp, this film marks a significant return to Hollywood following a tumultuous period highlighted by his highly publicized trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. This film represents Depp’s first major role since 2018’s “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” Aside from Depp, the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, and Ian McKellen, among others. The screenplay was adapted by Nathaniel Halpern, based on Dickens’ timeless work.
