Photo: JC Olivera/Getty; youtube
It looks likeNicolas Cagewon’t be playingTiger King’sJoe Exoticafter all.
The actor, 57, revealed in aninterview withVarietythat he’s no longer attached to the role in Amazon’s scripted series about the Oklahoma zookeeper-turned-convicted felon, hinting that the entire project has been shelved.
“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 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,” he added.
A spokesperson for Amazon did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Nicolas Cage.Frazer Harrison/Getty
At the time, Cage was attached to star as Exotic, with Imagine Television Studios and CBS Television Studios producing the show.
Adapted from theWondery podcastJoe Exotic, NBCU’s limited series will starJohn Cameron Mitchellas Exotic andKate McKinnonas the eccentric big cat lover’s rival,Carole Baskin.
Exotic became a household name after being spotlighted in Netflix’s 2020 docuseries,Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.
The former zoo owner is currentlyserving a 22-year prison sentencefor a murder-for-hire plot against Baskin.
Listen below toour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on Joe Exotic.
source: people.com
