Here's who the stars of Netflix documentary Tiger King want to play them in a movie. Tiger King, which follows the world of Joe Exotic and big cats in the United States, has proved to be a major hit for the streaming service. Part of that is its stranger-than-fiction storyline, and another reason is its cast of characters.
Such is the global interest in Tiger King that talk has already turned to a movie or TV series adaptation. It's hardly a surprise; the years of footage shot by Eric Goode, Rebecca Chaiklin and their team, was condensed down to just 7 episodes on Netflix. There's a whole lot more of Joe Exotic's story to tell, as well as the wider Tiger King cast including Jeff Lowe, Rick Kirkham, Saff, and, of course, Carole Baskin.
One thing confirmed to be in the works is a limited series based off of Wonderey's Over My Dead Body podcast, with Kate McKinnon attached to executive produce and star. While no movie is confirmed, it may well be inevitable, and the real life Tiger King cast have some thoughts on who they'd like to portray them on the big screen, with many revealed during the Joel McHale-fronted "The Tiger King and I".
Joe Exotic: Brad Pitt or David Spade
Joe Exotic is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for hiring a hitman to take down his arch nemesis, Carole Baskin. That's not stopped him from making it known that if a movie of his life is to be made, he'd like either Brad Pitt or David Spade to take up the role. Though it's hard to see Pitt playing Joe Exotic, Spade does bear a rather uncanny resemblance to him, and is already heavily invested in the show, having spoken with many other of its stars. As for playing Exotic in a movie, Spade was evasive when questioned on The Ellen Show recently, saying he felt any movie would have to be more dramatic than comedic. Spade also had his own casting ideas, saying he thought Woody Harrelson would make a great Jeff Lowe.
Rick Kirkham: Billy Bob Thornton
TV producer Rick Kirkham was already in the process of making a series about Joe and his zoo before a 'mysterious' fire at the zoo destroyed all his footage. Kirkham is said to be pleased with how he came across in Tiger King; as a hard working guy trying to make a living, and someone who had been hard done by Joe. Speaking to Joel McHale for "The Tiger King and I" episode, Kirkham said he'd heard Billy Bob Thornton brought up as a possible actor for his character, and that he'd be happy with this. Looking at the pair of them, and given Thornton's abilities, it's a good choice.
John Finlay: Shia LaBoeuf or Channing Tatum
One of Joe Exotic's former husbands, John Finlay, wasn't altogether happy about his portrayal in Tiger King, saying he came across as a hillbilly. Now sporting a new set of teeth and a shirt (as well as a finished tattoo), Finaly says he'd be happy for either Channing Tatum of Shia LaBoeuf to play him in a potential movie adaptation of Tiger King. Tatum seems unlikely, but LaBoeuf would be quite fitting for the role.
Dillon Passage: Zac Efron
Joe Exotic's current husband, Dillon Passage, has a very firm idea on who should play him in a Tiger King movie. When asked by People, Passage answered "Zac Efron," without delay, not-so modestly adding "dark hair, blue eyes, good-looking. What else can I say?" Passage is said to be waiting for Joe while he serves his time, but did not participate in The Tiger King and I.
John Reinke: Matthew McConaughey
Manager of the G.W. Zoo, John Reinke was one of the more sane voices of reason in Tiger King. Easily distinguishable because of his brightly colored prosthetic legs, Reinke is becoming something of a celebrity in his hometown, even in the midst of a pandemic. Reinke no longer works with animals, or has any contact with Exotic, though he does think his former boss will return to court for an appeal hearing in the future. As for who should play him in a movie, Reinke has only one actor in mind: Matthew McConaughey.
Saff Saffery: Brandon Baker
Without doubt the most likeable (and sane) person to appear in Tiger King was former animal handler Saff Saffery. It's hard to imagine being so laid back about a tiger savaging your arm, causing it to be amputated, but Saff is entirely chill about this, and doesn't blame the animal at all. He also says that while Joe did a lot of things wrong, he also did a lot of things right, and feels that wasn't shown in the documentary. When Joel McHale asked Saff who should play him in a Tiger King movie, he gave the name Brandon Baker, a former Disney Channel child star known for movies Johnny Tsunami, and The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story, among others, and perhaps the most grounded choice of all the casting picks made by the people featured in Tiger King.