Spencer Wilding, Friend of the Late Dave Legeno, Discusses Portraying Fenrir Greyback in “Harry Potter: Wizards Unite”

Every Potterhead in the world is bursting with excitement about the new Harry Potter: Wizards Unite game that has started to launch in several countries across the world. Those still waiting for it to arrive in their country are eagerly keeping their eyes on the news to see what their peers are thinking of the game, and so far, people seem to like it. Even Spencer Wilding (Batman Begins, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Game of Thrones, Men in Black: International), who portrays Fenrir Greyback in the game, replacing his late friend Dave Legeno, admits that he’s downloaded the game and really likes it.

It always sucks when a beloved actor passes away, and for Wilding, it’s an absolute honor to fill in for Legeno. They were very good friends, and both portrayed the role of werewolves in the Harry Potter films. Since Legeno died in 2014 at the age of 50 while hiking in Death Valley, California, the game needed another actor to replace him, and we can’t think of a better fit than his old friend Wilding.

Not only did Wilding have the honor of filling the role of Fenrir Greyback, but he also got cast as a Death Eater in the new augmented reality game. According to Wilding, filming for the game was a lot of fun.

We spent a week filming in Portugal for the game; it was a brilliant experience playing alongside upcoming talented young actors, including Emeka Sesay, Finn Bennett and Emily Coates. I felt like their dad, looking after them all.

Jumping back into the character of a werewolf wasn’t very hard for Wilding. He’s done it before in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when he portrayed Remus Lupin’s werewolf form. He joked that if he hadn’t gotten the role for the game, he would have seen it as a sign that he’s over the hill, but lucky for him, no one seems to think that he’s done portraying werewolves just yet.

Wilding admits that he and his kids have downloaded the new game and that it’s really good. We think it’s pretty safe to take his word for it. Those who are still waiting for the game to launch in their country can definitely rest easy knowing that it’s going to be worth the wait.

Has Wizards Unite launched in your country yet? What do you think about the game? Tell us in the comments.