Gene Hackman will likely be honored throughout The Oscars on Sunday night time … and it appears an outdated good friend will likely be talking concerning the legend.

A Hackman relative tells TMZ … the household has been advised that Morgan Freeman will discuss Gene — which will likely be an extension of the in memoriam phase.

Gene and Morgan after all starred collectively within the Clint Eastwood traditional “Unforgiven” … for which Gene scored his second Oscar. Morgan wasn’t nominated for the flick, however took residence his personal Academy Award in 2005 for “Million Greenback Child.”

Morgan and Gene later labored collectively within the 2000 thriller “Below Suspicion” … one in all Gene’s final credit earlier than he retired from appearing in 2004.

We’re advised Gene’s household is not going to be in attendance for the present.

As TMZ beforehand reported … Gene and his spouse Betsy have been discovered lifeless of their residence Wednesday, together with 1 of their 3 canine — and an investigation into simply what occurred is ongoing.

Santa Fe authorities stated on Friday Gene’s pacemaker confirmed its final occasion was on February 17 … making investigators consider that is when he died.

Toxicology stories are pending, however each people examined damaging for carbon monoxide, in keeping with the health worker.