Mockingjay’s Uncertain Future

My initial reaction to the news alert I got during breakfast yesterday morning "was how sad for Philip Seymour Hoffman's family."  My next reaction was wait?! He's Plutarch Heavensbee.  What does this mean for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2?  His character is a huge part of the final book in the series...

According to Deadline, Hoffman's work on the first of the Mockingjay movies was substantially complete at the time of his passing.  Both parts one and two are being shot at the same time and Hoffman had just seven days left of shooting on the second film.  At this time his passing will not affect the scheduled release dates of the two Mockingjay movies slated for November 21st of this year and November 20th, 2015.

In a statement on behalf of the cast and crew of the series, director Francis Lawrence, author Suzanne Collins, star Jennifer Lawrence and the two producers released a statement saying

Words cannot coney 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 condolences go out to his family."

An autopsy on Hoffman's body is scheduled for today.  Toxicology reports could take several weeks, but a heroine overdose is expected to be the cause of death.  Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment with a needle in his arm and what appeared to be the drug, nearby.  He spent two decades sober but relapsed into his drug addiction in 2013 when he sought out help in rehab.