Netflix’s Tiger King seems like it became a pop culture sensation a lifetime ago, when in reality it released at the start of lockdown last year. That isn’t stopping other platforms from getting in on the Tiger King, as Peacock’s Joe Exotic TV show is getting closer to production. While Dennis Quaid was cast as Rick Kirkham, Joe Exotic’s reality show producer, he is leaving the project and someone else is taking over.
According to Deadline, William Fichtner will portray Kirkham to replace Dennis Quaid, who had to exit due to a scheduling conflict. Fichtner will star opposite Kate McKinnon, who will portray Carole Baskin, and Joe Mitchell, who is set to play Joe Exotic himself. The actor joins previously announced cast members Brian Van Holt, Nat Wolff, Sam Keeley, Lex Mayson, Dean Winters and Joel Marsh Garland.
William Fichtner has had an extensive filmography since 1987, appearing in dozens of movies and TV shows over the years including Nine Lives, Blades of Glory, The Lone Ranger, Independence Day: Resurgence, The West Wing, Prison Break, Empire and Mom. Fichtner also made his directorial debut with the feature film Cold Brook, starring alongside Kim Coates.
It will be interesting to see just what William Fichtner will bring to this role, and fans can only wonder what could have been with Dennis Quaid. Considering Fichtner’s long list of roles and the variety of them, he seems like the perfect fit for Joe Exotic’s reality show producer.
There is currently no word on when the new series will make its debut on Peacock, which is working under the Joe Exotic title for now. The fact that it stars an already-impressive cast says a lot, since the original series did wonders on Netflix. The show is set to center around Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin’s years-long feud following when Baskin learns Exotic’s scam with the big cats. The series will be based on the 2020 Wondery Podcast series Joe Exotic: Tiger King, which is created and hosted by Robert Moor.
With William Fichtner replacing Dennis Quaid due to Quaid's scheduling conflicts, it seems progress is being made on the Joe Exotic project. Even though Tiger King released on Netflix over a year ago, there are multiple shows being based around Joe Exotic and his schemes. During the wait for the Peacock series, you can always watch and rewatch the Tiger King docu-series that made such a splash in early 2020, when stay-at-home orders had people ready for some Netflix craziness. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on the Joe Exotic TV show on Peacock and check out our summer 2021 TV schedule to find out which shows to look forward to this summer!
