Most movie fans of the last 20 years have grown not only to know the iconic face of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, but to love him as well, as a gifted, alarmingly versatile and intense actor of both screen and stage: Almost Famous, The Big Lebowski, Mission Impossible III, Along Came Polly and of course The Hunger Games: Catching Fire are just some of the countless films the late actor is known for in the YA world, and his pivotal role of Plutarch Heavensbee in the most recent installment of The Hunger Games franchise was a standout (as all his roles were).

Amidst the shock and grief felt by Hoffman’s family and fans, not only for his death but for the sad circumstances surrounding it, a question arises as to the fate of Heavensbee’s portrayal in the pair of concluding films to Suzanne Collins’ series, Mockingjay. The cast and crew of the films collectively released the following statement on the Academy Award winning actor’s death:

“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 condolences go out to his family.”

It is reported that, while production on Mockingjay Part 1 has wrapped, Hoffman still had approximately a week left of filming on the final film Mockingjay Part 2.

At this early stage after this tragic loss, it is unclear how the production will choose to move forward, and judging from his pivotal and attention-getting performance in Catching Fire, it will be highly difficult (to say the least) to recast the role: Hoffman was far too much of a well known and beloved character actor to simply be replaced: he also had the breadth and strength to be a brilliant leading man.