'Hunger Games: Mockingjay' Release Date, Cast & Spoilers: Director Finally Speaks About Philip Seymour Hoffman's Death; 'Still Figuring Things Out'
The director of the upcoming film has finally revealed how the entire cast and crew dealt with the news of the actor's death.
"It was obviously very rough for all of us," The Hunger Games: Mockingjay director Francis Lawrence told USA Today in a report. "He was a friend. He was an amazing actor, an iconic actor. He was someone I really looked up to," he added.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment last February 2. According to authorities, the 42-year old actor died from drug intoxication. Citing the NYC medical examiner, USA Today reports that Hoffman had heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and amphetamines in his system.
According to the director, the news of the actor's death shocked the entire 'Hunger Games' cast and production crew.
"It's something so sudden, so shocking," Lawrence said in the USA Today report.
"We shut down for a day to give people time to deal with the sudden shock of it all. And to try and sort of figure things out a little bit," he recalled.
"We as a cast and crew definitely honored him," Lawrence shared to USA Today. "We gathered everyone together and had a big moment for him."
The director also said that although it's been a month since the loss, Hoffman's 'Hunger Games' family still has him in mind. We still think about him every day. It's hard not to imagine him being here."
As previously reported, the actor's sudden passing will not affect 'The Hunger Games: Mockinjay' Part 1 and 2 in terms of release date. The 'Hunger Games' films are slated to release November 21, 2014 and November 20, 2015, respectively.
"There was very, very little that was left," says Lawrence, referring to the late actor's part on the upcoming films. "Even if (Hoffman) had a number of days left, most of those moments were appearances in other scenes. Most of his dialogue was done."
Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Plutarch Heavensbee, the Head Gamemaker in the 'Hunger Games' franchise.