Hollywood Icon Says He Loves Johnny Depp in a Disappointing Development
Oh no, not again.
Ian McKellen just shared some surprisingly glowing comments about working with Johnny Depp on the upcoming film Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a development that’s certainly giving many of us pause. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, especially considering Depp’s recent history, and it feels like a disappointing moment for a seasoned actor like McKellen.
According to BuzzFeed, this new adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic sees Depp stepping into the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge, with McKellen playing a ghost alongside him. McKellen didn’t hold back when speaking about Depp’s performance and presence on set.
He said Depp was “in spankingly good form,” describing him as “effervescent, funny, irreverent, serious — all at the same time.” McKellen went on to say, “It was a bit of a love fest, really. I fell in love with him, really. He’s very obliging to his fellow actors. [There was] a wonderful feeling on the set.” The 86-year-old actor added that his time on the project was brief, only six days, but “well worth it.”
It’s hard to ignore the context surrounding Johnny Depp’s career right now
This role in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol marks Depp’s first major Hollywood movie in nearly eight years, and it’s being seen by many as a significant step in his comeback. This comeback follows a turbulent period dominated by high-profile legal battles concerning allegations of domestic violence.
Back in 2020, Depp lost a libel case in the U.K. against The Sun, a publication that had called him a “wife beater.” The judge in that case found that the article was “substantially true,” determining that 12 of the 14 alleged incidents of domestic violence against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, had indeed occurred.
Then, in 2022, Depp and Heard faced each other in a US defamation trial. While the jury ultimately found both parties liable for defamation against the other, significantly more damages were awarded to Depp, leading many to consider it a legal win for him.
It’s important to remember that during this trial, the jury was not sequestered and was allowed to keep their phones, all while a bot-driven online campaign against Heard heavily influenced public perception. When you consider all of that, McKellen’s “love fest” comments feel particularly tone-deaf.
The film also stars some other familiar faces, including Rupert Grint, Daisy Ridley, and Sam Claflin. While it’s certainly a star-studded cast, it makes you wonder about the decisions being made behind the scenes.
This isn’t McKellen’s first time showing support for individuals accused of abuse
Back in 2019, McKellen faced significant controversy for comments he made about Kevin Spacey and Bryan Singer. He had suggested that the alleged abuse by these figures happened because they were “in the closet,” essentially linking their sexuality to their alleged actions. This perspective was widely criticized as a problematic defense of their alleged behavior.
Following the backlash, McKellen issued an apology, admitting that his previous comments were “wrong.” In his statement, he clarified his intentions, saying, “As part of an extended podcast recently, I suggested that if closeted people were instead open about their sexuality they wouldn’t abuse others. That, of course, is wrong.”
He explained that his intention was to encourage the LGBT audience to be proud and open about their sexuality, but that his point was “clumsily expressed.” He was clear that he would “never, ever trivialise or condone abuse of any kind.”
McKellen added a more appropriate stance on such matters, stating, “When it comes to abuse by people in positions of power, the correct response is clear. The accusers must be heard and the accused given the opportunity to clear their names. If the accusations prove credible, the abuser’s access to power should be removed.” The context of the allegations against Spacey and Singer really highlights why McKellen’s initial comments were so problematic.
Kevin Spacey came out as gay in October 2017, shortly after Anthony Rapp accused him of making inappropriate sexual advances when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26. McKellen himself had previously criticized Spacey for timing his coming out with the accusations, calling it “reprehensible.” Spacey later faced a felony sexual assault charge in Massachusetts from an alleged 2016 incident, though he pleaded not guilty.
McKellen is known for his portrayal of Magneto in the X-Men franchise. Bryan Singer, who directed him in these films and in Apt Pupil, came out as bisexual in 2014. Shortly after, aspiring model and actor Michael Egan filed a civil suit against Singer, alleging forced sex at parties, though that suit was eventually dropped.
More recently, Singer was the subject of a report in The Atlantic that detailed allegations from men who accused the director of seducing and having sexual relations with them while they were minors. Singer has consistently denied these allegations. In response to these claims, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) suspended Singer’s nomination for Bohemian Rhapsody, and the film’s GLAAD Media Award was revoked.
Considering McKellen’s very public apology and his stated commitment to supporting accusers and removing power from abusers, his recent comments about Depp feel like a significant step backward. It’s tough to see a pattern emerge where an actor of his stature seems to overlook serious allegations when praising a colleague.
(featured image: Sony Pictures)
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