It appears the pandemic-induced fever dream idea of having Nicolas Cage star as Joe Exotic in a TV narrative adaptation of “Tiger King” was just too good (or weird) to be true.
According to an interview with Variety, Cage explained why he is no longer attached to the Amazon version of the Joe Exotic story. Apparently, the time has past and everyone wants to move on from the “Tiger King” phenomenon.
“We should clear the record,” Cage said. “I read two excellent scripts, which I did think were excellent, but I think Amazon ultimately felt that it was material that had become past tense because it took so long for it to come together. They felt at one point that it was lightning in a bottle, but that point has since faded into the distance and it’s no longer relevant.”
You might remember that, at the peak of “Tiger King” mania (back in mid-2020), it was announced that Nic Cage would star as roadside zookeeper-turned-criminal, Joe Exotic, in a series based on the true story. The series was being developed by the folks behind “American Vandal” and seemed like it was going to be great. However, with the “Tiger King” popularity waning (as well as another series further in development with John Cameron Mitchell and Kate McKinnon starring), it seems as if Cage will have to wait for the chance to work with tigers.
For the time being, if you want to watch Nicolas Cage in a new project, the actor is the star of the new film, “Pig,” which arrives this week. Sadly, for as strange as “Pig” might be, it probably won’t be nearly as whacky as “Tiger King.”