Philip Seymour Hoffman dead from drug overdose, ‘Hunger Games Mockingjay’ still moving forward

The tragic news of another Hollywood star being consumed by their addiction, Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead over the weekend from an apparent drug overdose.

The New York Post reports that police say he was found in the bathroom with a hypodermic needle in his arm. In 2006, Hoffman publically admitted to US TV show 60 Minutes that he almost succumbed to substance abuse after graduating from drama school, but managed to get sober through rehab.

Hoffman was set to co-star in the next two Hunger Games films as the gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee. Hoffman played the character in Catching Fire and would appear in both episodes of Mockingjay.

The Playlist confirms Hoffman finished filming on the first film and the Capote star had just nine days of filming to finish on the second instalment.

Those nine days may yet prove problematic in bringing the story to a conclusion that stays faithful to the books, but according to the studio, the scheduled release dates will not change on either project.

“Philip Seymour Hoffman was a singular talent and one of the most gifted actors of our generation,” read the studio’s official statement. “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.”

Mockingjay Part 1 is scheduled to open in theaters November 21, 2014, with Part 2 slated to arrive the following year on November 20, 2015.