Cooper Hoffman missed out on the role his father originally brought to life in Panem. Director Francis Lawrence has now explained exactly why he looked elsewhere for the part.
Although Lawrence had previously worked with Hoffman, he said the decision had nothing to do with talent. Instead, the actor who ultimately landed the role also shares a unique connection to Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Jesse Plemons was cast as Plutarch Heavensbee after Francis Lawrence decided Cooper Hoffman was too young
Cooper Hoffman will not step into the role his father made famous. Director Francis Lawrence decided against casting him as a younger Plutarch Heavensbee in Sunrise on the Reaping, explaining that the actor was simply too young for the role.
Philip Seymour Hoffman originally portrayed the character in the franchise. His son, now 23, previously worked with Lawrence on The Long Walk.
“I love to work with people over and over, and Cooper is high on that list, but we needed someone who felt considerably older than Cooper is,” Lawrence, 55, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Instead, the part went to Jesse Plemons, 38. He played Val Dodd in the Oscar-nominated 2012 drama The Master. Notably, the character was the son of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Lancaster Dodd.
Lionsgate also acknowledged that connection. “Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively,” Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said.
She added, “We are honored that he has chosen to bring his own take to one of the most fascinating figures in Panem, and feel that his previous collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman makes it all the more special.”
Meanwhile, Cooper Hoffman has continued building his own career. His credits include Licorice Pizza, The Long Walk, and his latest film, I Want Your Sex.
Still, he has not always felt drawn to acting. In fact, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he resented his father’s profession as a child. “I hated my dad’s job because I was always like, ‘Why are you going away for three months?,'” he recalled.
However, filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson changed that perspective. The director, a close friend of Philip Seymour Hoffman, invited Cooper onto his film sets.
“The one I remember most is Phantom Thread. My family stayed for three weeks, and I would watch Paul work pretty much every day,” Cooper said.
Ultimately, watching the filmmaking process changed how he viewed the profession. “I was like, ‘Wait, you just get to bring a bunch of people that you like together and make something?’ I could finally see why my dad was doing it,” he added.
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