Hunger Games - Philip Seymour Hoffman Dead?

On Superbowl Sunday, Feb. 2nd, actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose. As thespians around the world mourns the death of the 46-year-old Oscar winner, many people are also wondering about the fate of "The Hunger Games" franchise - which, oh by the way, has a lot of archery in it.

For those unfamiliar with the Suzanne Collins series, Hoffman played the character Plutarch Heavensbee. Hoffman’s character was introduced in the second film, "Catching Fire" as the successor of Seneca Crane (who died in the first movie), the Head Gamekeeper for the Hunger Games. In the series, the main character Katniss immediately distrusts Plutarch even though he tries to win her trust by revealing a watch with the mockingjay, the symbol of the rebellion. However by the end of the "Catching Fire" Katniss discovers that Plutarch is actually the head of the rebellion against the Capitol.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

In the movies the last time viewers saw Plutarch, he and Haymitch had used a hovercraft to save Katniss, Finnick and Beetee from The Quarter Quell in "Catching Fire." In the final book "Mockingjay," Plutarch plays a major role in Katniss becoming “the Mockingjay” and helps plan the propaganda to fight the Capitol. At the end of the series when Katniss is accused of murder, Plutarch helps her defense by standing as a witness at her trial. After the war is over he’s appointed as the Secretary of Communications.

END OF SPOILERS

However the good news is that filming for "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1" is done and is already in post-production. However "Mockingjay – Part 2" was still filming and had 7 days of shooting left to do. So, how will Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death affect the final of the two "Mockingjay" movies?

Likely they will just phase out his character's importance halfway through the 2nd film.

A joint statement on behalf of Jennifer Lawrence, director Francis Lawrence, Suzanne Collins and producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilk was released Sunday afternoon:

"Words cannot convey the devastating loss we are all feeling right now. Philip was a wonderful person and an exceptional talent, and our hearts are breaking. Our deepest thoughts and condolence go out to his family."

Francis Lawrence has said that the studio is "confident" they can finish the film without Hoffman and that the film’s ending won’t be "substantially changed."

The final two Hunger Games movies are on schedule to be released on Nov. 21st, 2014 and Nov. 20th, 2015.