Nicolas Cage has reportedly signed up to play Tiger King star Joe Exotic in a new eight-part drama series.

The hit Netflix show told the remarkable story of Exotic, an eccentric zookeeper who was jailed for allegedly plotting to murder a rival, and was seen by more than 34 million households worldwide in its first 10 days alone.

According to Variety, Cage - Oscar-winning star of Leaving Las Vegas - will take on his first regular TV role for the new series and will also serve as one of the executive producers.

The magazine says that the as-yet untitled show "will live in the lion's den with Joe, explore how he became Joe Exotic, and how he lost himself to a character of his own creation".

Rob Lowe is also said to be developing a show based on Exotic with American Horror Story showrunner Ryan Murphy.