A rival show about Carole Baskin is naturally also in the works…

Nic Cage is bringing his own brand of bonkers acting to TV. The National Treasure actor has signed up to play Tiger King Joe Exotic in a new series based on the notorious animal fanatic’s life.

Netflix’s docuseries, Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, has been such a huge hit for the streaming service that it has sparked renewed interest in fictionalising the story. The Cage version of the events will be created through CBS Television Studios and Imagine Television by American Vandal showrunner Dan Lagana, and is based on last year’s Texas Monthly article about Joe Exotic.

This series will follow the story of “how Joe Schreibvogel built his private zoo in Oklahoma and details his feuds with Jeff Lowe and Carole Baskin” and “will centre on Joe as he fights to keep his animal park even at the risk of losing his sanity. It will explore how Joe became Joe Exotic and how he lost himself to a character of his own creation.”

Eight episodes of the project are planned at CBS, while over at Universal another series based on the life of Carole Baskin is in development, with Saturday Night Live staple Kate McKinnon attached to star.