Magic, tigers, Vegas, and a dose of drama—Jude Law and Andrew Garfield are stepping into the spotlight (and the sparkle) as Siegfried and Roy in a new Apple TV+ limited series titled Wild Things.
The upcoming show will chronicle the legendary rise—and dramatic fall—of one of Las Vegas’ most iconic acts. Law will portray Siegfried Fischbacher, while Garfield takes on Roy Horn, his lifelong performing partner. Based on the Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy podcast, the eight-episode series promises to deliver a whirlwind tale of illusion, ambition, and danger.
Behind the Curtain: The Story of Siegfried & Roy
Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn weren’t just magicians—they were a phenomenon. Known for blending exotic animals, big-budget illusions, and high-camp flair, the German-born duo transformed the Las Vegas entertainment landscape beginning in the 1970s.
They met aboard the luxury cruise ship TS Bremen, where Siegfried was performing as a magician and Roy was working as a waiter. According to Roy, their bond began when he smuggled a live cheetah aboard the ship and asked Siegfried, “If you can make a rabbit disappear, how about a cheetah?” The rest, as they say, was showbiz history.
From European cabarets to Monte Carlo royalty, the pair’s act eventually landed in Las Vegas, where they became the faces of The Mirage in a $57 million deal—complete with their own 5,000-seat theater.
Tragedy on the Stage
On October 3, 2003, during a live performance, tragedy struck when Roy was attacked by a white tiger named Montecore. The incident resulted in a severe neck injury and stroke that ended their stage careers. Remarkably, Horn defended the tiger afterward, claiming Montecore was trying to protect him, not harm him.
Though they briefly reunited for a single performance in 2009, the attack marked the end of an era.
A Complex Legacy
The new series promises to explore the full spectrum of Siegfried and Roy’s lives—not just the illusions, but also their personal relationship. Though they were romantically involved during the earlier years of their careers, the pair remained close professional partners even after separating.
They ultimately confirmed their relationship publicly in 2007, gracing the cover of the National Enquirer with the headline, “We’re Gay!”
Farewell to the Tiger Kings
Roy Horn passed away in 2020 due to complications from COVID-19 at age 75. Fischbacher died just months later in 2021 from pancreatic cancer at age 81.
“From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together, would change the world,” Fischbacher said in a statement after Horn’s death. “There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried.”
With Law and Garfield stepping into their glittery shoes, Wild Things aims to bring that iconic—and often misunderstood—story back to life for a new generation.
