EW's Latest Cover: Philip Seymour Hoffman's Life & Legacy

Entertainment Weekly's February 14th cover will feature Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died tragically on Sunday of a suspected drug overdose. The cover story pays tribute to Hoffman, widely considered the greatest screen and stage actor of his generation.

Film critic Owen Gleiberman traces the arc of the Oscar-winning actor’s tragically curtailed career, exploring his ability, in role after role, to plumb his own depths to bring often deeply flawed characters to vivid life and to “lay bare the things that make people tick” — an emotionally wrenching process that clearly took a personal toll on the actor. We look back at Hoffman’s 10 most essential film performances — including his acclaimed work in movies like Capote, Doubt, and Boogie Nights, as well as lesser-known gems from throughout his career — and look ahead to the various projects he was working on at the time of his death, including the final installments in the Hunger Games franchise.

Director Brett Ratner, a fellow NYU film school student of Hoffman’s who later worked with the actor on the film Red Dragon, contributes a personal remembrance, while other friends and fellow actors and filmmakers offer their own tributes to Hoffman as both an artist and a man. “He was the warmest, most generous person and just overflowing with love and affection for his friends and family,” says actor Todd Louiso, a longtime friend of Hoffman’s who directed him in the 2002 film Love Liza. “I know the past two years have been really rough for him. To find out [about his death] doesn’t really compute to me. It just shows how strong that disease [of addiction] is.”

This issue of Entertainment Weekly is on stands Friday.

Natalie Dormer Attends InStyle UK’s Best of British Talent Pre-BAFTA Party

Natalie Dormer attended InStyle UK magazine’s The Best of British Talent pre-BAFTA party at Dartmouth House in London on February 4th. Natalie was featured in the magazine's 'Best of British: The BAFTA Hot 25' feature in their March 2014 issue.

Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth Return To the 'Mockingjay' Set

Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth bundled up as they headed to the Mockingjay set in chilly Atlanta today. Looks like they're both sporting those fabulous (or drab-ulous?) District 13 uniforms.

Update on Wed, February 5, 2014 by PanemPropaganda

Julianne Moore was also spotted near the Mockingjay set in Atlanta in all her President Coin grey glory

VIDEO: Elizabeth Banks Promotes The LEGO Movie

Elizabeth Banks has been making the talk show rounds this week to promote The LEGO Movie (opens Feb 7th).

Here's Elizabeth on The Today Show this morning, 2/5/2014. She talks about her shock over Philip Seymour Hoffman's recent death:

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Here she is on The Daily Show 2/4/2014:

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Elizabeth talking to ExtraTv about the loss of Philip Seymour Hoffman:

Philip Seymour Hoffman's Rep Releases Follow-Up Statement About His Funeral

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died at age 46 on Sunday, will be laid to rest during a private funeral service to be attended by family and friends, his rep Karen Samfilippo says in a statement obtained by USA TODAY.

"There will be a private funeral service held in N.Y. for the family and close friends of Philip Seymour Hoffman," the statement reads.

A date for the services was not specified.

"Plans are also underway for a memorial service later in the month also to be held in N.Y. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Phil's name to two charities that were very close to his heart: The DreamYard Project and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The family wishes to thank everyone for their continued support and good wishes."

Philip Seymour Hoffman Had One "Emotional" Scene Left to Film for 'Mockingjay Part 2'

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Woody Harrelson in Catching Fire

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Philip Seymour Hoffman had one major, emotional scene left to film in the final installment of the Hunger Games series, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. THR spoke with a Lionsgate executive who said, "We’re all extraordinarily sad. But as it relates to production, it’s going to have no impact. Obviously, we're going to have a couple of work-around issues but the movie will be creatively whole. His performances in both [remaining] movies will be up to the best of his craft. We feel it will be a good tribute to him."

Hoffman died tragically on Sunday of an apparent drug overdose.

The Lionsgate executive would not expand on the crucial scene that remains to be shot. But fans can certainly guess what scene it might be. Lionsgate previously stated that the actor had about a week of filming left on Mockingjay Part 2. The final film in the series is set for release in November 2015.

A source with ties to the project said that with the exception of one major scene in the final film, "they seem to have plans that don’t seem very complicated" to complete both pictures without Hoffman. "You can do digital things, you can have conversations where you’re not focusing on him but the people he’s talking to," this observer said.

Rob Legato, a veteran effects supervisor whose latest credit is The Wolf of Wall Street, says he has no specific knowledge about the Hunger Games films but at this point, technology is most likely good enough to generate a convincing image of Hoffman, though some scenes might need to be rewritten. "These days the technology of using someone's likeness is a whole lot easier to do," he said. "I won't say you could generate a Philip Seymour Hoffman with all the acting ability, but you could certainly replicate him for a shot or two."

On a personal note:

The LAST thing we want to do is be insensitive in reporting this information. A man has died tragically which is completely devastating to his loved ones and fans and, obviously, this is the most important part of any story about Philip Seymour Hoffman. We are providing information, which is our commitment to you as a Hunger Games fan site. It's completely natural for people to be curious about what happens next, and we're simply providing that information to the numerous fans who have repeatedly asked us for it.

Philip Seymour Hoffman Was Nearly Finished Shooting 'Mockingjay'

Variety is reporting that Philip Seymour Hoffman was nearly finished shooting his portion of Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2:

With Hollywood still in shock over the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lionsgate was forced to consider how it will move forward with the industry’s most lucrative franchise now, The Hunger Games, which currently is in production on its final two installments, Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2.

Hoffman, who was found dead Sunday morning in New York of an apparent drug overdose, joined the hit franchise in its most recent installment, Catching Fire, playing the game master Plutarch Heavensbee. That film grossed a giant $860 million at the worldwide box office.

According to Lionsgate, the majority of Hoffman’s scenes had been completed, with just seven days left to shoot on Mockingjay — Part 2.

Release dates (Nov. 21 and Nov. 20, 2015) for either installment will not be affected, Lionsgate said.

The Mockingjay shoot began in September in Atlanta and is planned to last into the spring, before shifting to Berlin and Paris for a month, ending in May. Both installments are shooting simultaneously.

Additionally, Lionsgate released a statement saying, “Philip Seymour Hoffman was a singular talent and one of the most gifted actors of our generation.  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.”

Hoffman’s part in the last Hunger Games became more significant by the end of the film, though it still was a supporting role.

UPDATE: Jennifer Lawrence, Mockingjay director Francis Lawrence, author Suzanne Collins, and producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik released a joint statement following the news of Hoffman’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.”

Philip Seymour Hoffman Found Dead at 46

I can't believe I'm writing this horrible headline. Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has been found dead of an apparent drug overdose in his New York apartment today. He was 46.

Law enforcement officials said Hoffman was found dead at his apartment in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan. Investigators found two bags of what is believed to be heroin inside the fourth-floor apartment. According to the Wall Street Journal, the actor was found in his bathroom around 11:15 a.m. by a screenwriter, who called 911, the official said.

"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone. This is a tragic and sudden loss and we ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving," Hoffman's family said in a statement. "Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers."

With great sadness, we mourn the death of an amazing actor and our wonderful Plutarch Heavensbee. Our hearts go out to his loved ones at this horrific time.