Philip Seymour Hoffman's death came as a shock to Hollywood, including to "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" cast and crew.
In an interview with USA Today, "Mockingjay" director Francis Lawrence explained how the cast and crew handled the sudden death of the respected actor.
"It was obviously very rough for all of us," Lawrence told USA Today. "[Hoffman] was a friend. He was an amazing actor, an iconic actor. He was someone I really looked up to."
"We shut down for a day to give people time to deal with the sudden shock of it all. And to try and sort of figure things out a little bit," he added.
After the production shutdown, Lawrence told USA Today the cast and crew came together to remember the late actor, who is greatly missed their set.
"We as a cast and crew definitely honored him," he said. "We gathered everyone together and had a big moment for him. We still think about him every day. It's hard not to imagine him being here."
As for Hoffman's remaining scenes in the "Mockingjay" films, Lawrence said the actor had very little work left on set and had already filmed his most powerful scenes.
"There was very, very little that was left," Lawrence told USA Today. "Even if (Hoffman) had a number of days left, most of those moments were appearances in other scenes. Most of his dialogue was done."
Hoffman, 46, died on Feb. 2 of a drug overdose after taking a combination of heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and amphetamines. The actor's mother, Marilyn O'Connor, released a statement about her son's death before the official autopsy reports came out.
"It has been a devastating loss for us, but I know that you also feel a great sorrow," O'Connor said in a statement, read by Hoffman's friend Jack Garner, Democrat & Chronicle reports. "We miss and cry for the little boy and the man, the brother, the uncle, the husband, the father, the friend, and while we will miss seeing him, we will also miss his talent, his knowledge of his craft, and seeing results of his hard work. He was a gift to me for 46 years. I wanted more."
"My heart is broken and will never be the same again," O'Connor added. "I know many of you feel the same. We will find our way through this and hear his clear voice and laughter as we do, because he is cheering for all of us to go on, to shine, to be the best that we can be. Thank you all and especially, The Little Theatre, a place Phil loved to go and watch movies."
"Mockingjay: Part 1" is slated to hit theaters Nov. 21, while "Mockingjay: Part 2" will be released on Nov. 20, 2015.
