Cooper Hoffman has inherited more than a famous surname from his father, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. He has also followed him into acting, building an impressive career in films such as Licorice Pizza and The Long Walk. But during a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Cooper revealed that his father’s influence reaches beyond performance.

It also lives in his lifelong love for the New York Knicks.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Cooper Hoffman explained that basketball was central to his relationship with Philip, who was a devoted Knicks fan and regularly attended games at Madison Square Garden.

“I grew up going to games with my dad, and it was a big part of our relationship, so I always knew that if they won, I would have a multifaceted feeling about it,” Cooper said.

The comment came as he reflected on missing New York’s celebrations after the Knicks won the NBA championship while he was abroad in London. Cooper managed to attend one game during the Finals with his friend and fellow actor Dylan O’Brien, but the Knicks lost that night. In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he jokingly blamed former President Donald Trump’s appearance for disrupting the atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden.

“Get the f*** out of MSG, you’re making this miserable for everybody,” Cooper recalled thinking.  The championship brought Cooper joy, but it also sharpened his grief because he could not share the moment with his father. He said he was disappointed not to celebrate with the city, yet the person he most wanted beside him was Philip.

“It’s such a shame my dad didn’t get to see it,” he said. Philip’s Knicks loyalty was well known, and photographs of him sitting courtside with Cooper remain a cherished part of the family’s public memories. For Cooper, the team represents a bond that survived his father’s death and continues to connect them across time.

Ben Stiller Announces Knicks Documentary With HBO and A24 Following Historic NBA Win

Even as he holds on to that personal connection, Hoffman is also navigating the spotlight that comes with rising fame.

Cooper Hoffman has dismissed the growing fan theory that he will play Scott Summers, better known as Cyclops, in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot. The speculation gathered momentum online after fans praised Hoffman’s age, screen presence, and dramatic range as a strong match for the team’s disciplined field leader. However, the actor has now made it clear that he is not attached to the role.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight at the premiere of I Want Your S**, Hoffman directly addressed the casting chatter and rejected the reports.

“Not gonna be me, but I love the X-Men,” he said, adding that he did not know how the rumor began. His response suggests that Marvel has not approached him about playing Cyclops, despite reports and social media posts presenting the fan casting as a serious possibility.

Hoffman was more enthusiastic when asked whether he would accept the part if fans had a say in Marvel’s casting decisions. He admitted that he has loved the X-Men since childhood and would consider playing the character a major honor. At the same time, he acknowledged that fans do not ultimately control who joins the MCU, even though he wishes their opinions carried more weight. 

'I Want Your S--' Star Cooper Hoffman Praises Director Gregg Araki’s Creative Approach on Sundance Hit

What do you think about Cooper Hoffman’s reflections on his father and his stance on the Cyclops rumors? Let us know in the comments.