Nicolas Cage is to star as Joe Exotic in a new eight part scripted series on the Tiger King following the success of Netflix's hit show Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.
The upcoming drama series is to be produced by Imagine Television Studios and CBS, reports Variety.
Insiders say the show will explore how Joe Schreibvogel of Kansas transformed into larger than life exotic zookeeper Joe Exotic. The Cage fronted seres will also chart Exotic's endless battles to keep his wildlife park open.
According to Variety, the series will be based on the Leif Reigstad’s Texas Monthly article, Joe Exotic: A Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild, the rights of which were bought by American Vandal showrunner Dan Lagana in June 2019.
It is set to be the first television role in Cage's career.
He previously won an Academy Award for his role in 1995's Leaving Las Vegas and has starred in numerous hit films including Adaptation, Moonstruck and Raising Arizona.
Joe Exotic has attracted a huge cult following for the release of Netflix's true-crime series in March.
Exotic, who is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for attempting murder for hire, has previously spoken out on who he'd like to play him in any future adaptations of his life story.
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter from jail, Exotic listed Brad Pitt and David Spade as his preferred choices.
Cage's Joe Exotic series is not the first scripted show to be announced after the success of the Netflix series.
Saturday Night Live star Kate McKinnon is to star and produce a series based on the Wondery podcast of Exotic.
McKinnon will take on the role of Exotic's nemesis Carole Baskin.
While the likes of Jared Leto and Dax Shepherd have all expressed their interest in playing Exotic on social media.
