Philip Seymour Hoffman: Work on The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1 Was "Substantially Complete"

Actor's untimely death will not affect the film's November 2014 release, a source close to the production tells E! News

By Jordana Ossad Feb 02, 2014 10:26 PMTags
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Philip Seymour Hoffman's role as Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1 was "substantially complete" at the time of his death, a source close to the production confirmed to E! News.

The iconic actor, who was found dead in his New York City apartment on Feb. 2, had seven days remaining to shoot The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 2, the source added. Hoffman's tragic passing "will not affect" the film's scheduled release dates of November 21, 2014, and November 20, 2015, respectively.

"Words cannot convey the devastating loss we are all feeling right now," director Francis Lawrence, author Suzanne Collins, producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, and Jennifer Lawrence said in a statement on behalf of the cast of the crew of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2, obtained by E! News. "Philip was a wonderful person and an exceptional talent, and our hearts are breaking. Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to his family."

Hoffman also appeared in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire opposite Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson and Donald Sutherland.

"[Philip Seymour] Hoffman was a singular talent and one of the most gifted actors of our generation," Lionsgate, the studio behind the Hunger Games franchise, said in a statement obtained by E! News. "We're very fortunate that he graced our Hunger Games family. Losing him in his prime is a tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Philip's family."

Police sources told E! News that the actor died of an apparent drug overdose, however, the New York City Medical Examiner is working to determine the exact cause of death. Hoffman was 46.

—Reporting by Athenia Veliz-Dunn