When Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away last month, the shock waves were felt everywhere. He was not a ‘star’, but an artist who had carved a space for himself with his acting acumen, and movie buffs across the globe felt the vacuum created by his sudden death. With news of the actor being digitally recreated, for a few scenes in his posthumous release The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 coming in, audiences are gearing up for the final salute.
Is it easy for followers of actors to move on after their death? Not really, if you are a die-hard fan. In fact, it has been noted that posthumous releases often find more takers than expected, with everyone eager to pay their last tribute, besides just fans. Here’s taking a look at some Hollywood actors and their posthumous releases.
Paul Walker Brick MansionsThe Fast and the Furious star could well be credited with more than half of the franchise’s fans. How the seventh edition of the series shapes up, therefore, after Paul’s tragic death in a car accident last year, is yet to be seen. An unprecedented hit with youngsters, Brian O’Conner (Paul’s character in the franchise) has been rendered immortal, but will have to take his final bow, as writers are trying to work out his exit from the series.
But it is Brick Mansions (releasing April 25), directed by Camille Delamarre, which will be his final completely finished film. It is the remake of the 2004 French parkour-filled action film District 13 .
Philip Seymour Hoffman The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1With more than 50 films in just two decades, the Academy Award for Best Actor for Capote (2005), three nominations for Best Supporting Actor for Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), Doubt (2008) and The Master (2012), five Golden Globe Award nominations (winning one) and five BAFTA nominations (winning one), Philip Seymour Hoffman was an actor loved by everyone. He even remained active in theatre, acting and directing. His untimely death, reportedly due to an overdose, had everyone in a state of shock.
The man, who excelled in portraying flawed characters with unbelievable feeling, will be seen last in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 . He was filming for this movie when he died, and while most of the scenes have been shot, the production house is reportedly digitally recreating the man for a finale scene of the movie.
Whitney Houston Sparkle (2012)The singer-actress-producer was apparently so inspired by the 1976 film Sparkle, which was set in Harlem, and followed the hard life of singer Sparkle Williams, that she wanted to produce a remake of the film. It is widely reported that this was the film that helped Whitney plan her own course as a singer. Was it only befitting then that the 2012 remake, which Whitney not just co-produced but also acted in, released after her sudden death? The artist was found dead in a bath tub in a Californian hotel. Sparkle (2012), released posthumously, and received a good response, largely riding on Whitney’s tragedy, and the director’s handling of the subject that could’ve been the biggest inspiring factor of the performer.
Heath Ledger The Dark Knight (2008)Did you know that before Heath Ledger was signed on to play the Joker in July 2006 (for The Dark Knight – 2008), Paul Bettany, Lachy Hulme, Adrien Brody, Steve Carell and Robin Williams had publicly expressed interest in the role? But director Christopher Nolan was keen on Heath, as he agreed to his concept of the Joker — a psychotic with zero empathy.
When the actor died due to an alleged prescription overdose, the news shook the film fraternity. The posthumously released film not only won scores of fans but also won him, among several awards, the Academy and the BAFTA awards for best supporting actor. Along with The Dark Knight , the actor is best known for his roles in Brokeback Mountain and I’m Not There .
