English actor Sam Claflin says the new film "Ebenezer," opening in theaters this weekend, delivers a timely reminder to choose kindness. In the latest retelling of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," Johnny Depp stars as Ebenezer Scrooge while Claflin portrays Scrooge’s warm and joyful nephew, Fred. The cast also includes Ian McKellen and Daisy Ridley.
“The film is a stark reminder to treat people better and choose love rather than negativity or divisiveness. It’s just such a good message,” Claflin said in a Zoom interview. “The theme is ‘Just be kind.’ It’s such an easily said thing, but so important. I think it’s especially important to reach for kindness now. It’s cold out there.”
Claflin, who turned 40 this past summer, said the milestone brought a sense of acceptance. “It’s wonderful to accept where you are in life now. That’s aging,” he said. “People will say something negative, and you honestly think, ‘I’m 40. Who cares? What matters most is how I feel about myself.’” He added that he feels better physically and mentally than he did at 30, citing running and cycling as his preferred forms of meditation.
The project reunited Claflin with Depp, his co-star from 2011’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” which marked Claflin’s feature film debut. “I was shocked that Johnny ever remembered me on ‘Ebenezer,’” Claflin said. “He’s still the same old Johnny. With old friends, the joy is when it feels like no time has passed.”
A longtime fan of the Dickens classic, Claflin cited versions ranging from older films to “Scrooged” and “The Muppets Christmas Carol.” He said fatherhood to his children, Pip and Margot, ages 11 and 9, has revitalized his holiday spirit. “I love having kids and being able to watch the magic through their eyes,” he said.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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