Cillian Murphy is being backed by bookies to play Tiger King star Joe Exotic in a movie.
Fellow Irish actor Robert Sheehan is also in the mix to play the Netflix star.
Cork born talent Murphy, 43, is being backed with BoyleSports to play Exotic should a movie be made surrounding the colourful zoo owner.
The telly favourite, who plays Tommy Shelby in BBC hit TV show Peaky Blinders, could be swapping his 1920’s gangster look for a stint with tigers after his odds were slashed.
Murphy was backed from an initial offering of 150/1 into 66/1 following a small number of speculative bets placed on Monday.
Netflix’s engrossing series Tiger King is a huge hit and fans are begging for a movie to be made with Co Laois-born actor and Love/Hate star Robert Sheehan added to the betting at 100/1 following some requests.
Joe Exotic would be a dream role for many actors and Kevin Bacon is one of the names at the top of the market who remains steady at 5/1. Billy Bob Thornton is the current 4/1 favourite.
Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “Oklahoma zoo owner Joe Exotic is serving a long sentence in prison but following the massive reaction to ‘Tiger King’ on Netflix, the chances of the colourful personality to have a movie made about him is on the rise.
“Irish star Cillian Murphy is the latest name to be fancied for the role with his odds backed into 66/1 from 100/1 while Robert Sheehan has been introduced at 100/1.”
Who will be cast as Joe Exotic in the Tiger King Movie
4/1 Billy Bob Thornton
5/1 Kevin Bacon
6/1 Brad Pitt
6/1 Edward Norton
7/1 David Spade
10/1 Ben Stiller
10/1 Dax Shepard
10/1 Matthew McConaughey
12/1 Christian Bale
12/1 Robert Downey Jr
16/1 Will Ferrell
20/1 bar
66/1 Cillian Murphy
100/1 – Robert Sheehan
