The late Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s passing caused many who knew him sorrow from his loss. However, it has been reported by Lionsgate that his tragic departure fails to affect much of the Hunger Games trilogy’s final stretch with Mockingjay.
Playing the former gamemaker turned rebel leader Plutarch Heavensbee, it appears that Hoffman was done with his performances for the film before his death. Lionsgate said that with the exception of one scene that has yet to be released to the public, there remains no need to work around his absence.
“We’re all extraordinarily sad,” said the executive of Lionsgate to The Hollywood Reporter. “But as it relates to production, it’s going to have no impact. Obviously, we’re going to have a couple of work-around issues but the movie will be creatively whole. His performances in both [remaining] movies will be up to the best of his craft. We feel it will be a good tribute to him.”
The final two films are still set to premiere at their intended times, with Mockingjay — Part One to premiere in November, with the second part to be released in November 2015.
Hoffman was found dead in his New York City apartment on the morning of February 2 of an apparent drug overdose. The award winning actor of Capote, The Big Lebowski, The Master, and other major cinematic works, was born in Fairport, New York and pursued an interest in acting since he was in high school. He leaves behind three young children with ex-partner and fashion designer Maggie O’Donnell. He was 46.
[via MTV]