The June 2025 Capcom Spotlight revealed new information about some of the developer's upcoming games, including Resident Evil Requiem. Indeed, Capcom shared a short video during the presentation wherein Resident Evil Requiem developers Koshi Nakanishi, Masachika Kawata, Tomonori Takano, and Masato Kumazawa discussed their influences and the direction being taken for the ninth mainline Resident Evil game. A highlight of this "Creators' Message" was Nakanishi directly addressing Leon Kennedy’s connection to Requiem, potentially teasing Kennedy’s appearance in the game.
Capcom Explains Why Leon Isn’t Resident Evil Requiem’s Protagonist
Capcom offers an official response on why it chose Grace Ashcroft instead of Leon S. Kennedy for the protagonist role in Resident Evil Requiem.
Resident Evil Requiem’s Capcom Spotlight Explained
Nakanishi introduced the presentation by detailing how Capcom’s core concept for Resident Evil Requiem is "addictive fear." He elaborated on this point, indicating that the game will strive to simulate players’ invigorating catharsis from overcoming fear, leading them to want to play more of Requiem. Later on, Nakanishi reaffirmed that FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft is Resident Evil Requiem’s protagonist, and he noted that Ashcroft is a new type of character for the Resident Evil franchise due to her introverted and timid nature. These characteristics allow Ashcroft to experience the horror of the game's events from the same perspective as many players, though she isn't entirely defenseless, due to being trained with firearms, and she will overcome her fears throughout Requiem.
Nakanishi then used these details about Resident Evil Requiem’s themes and Ashcroft’s character to directly compare Requiem and Ashcroft to past Resident Evil games and Leon Kennedy. Here, Nakanishi revealed that Capcom “... Always thought about making Leon the protagonist [for Requiem]” but found it difficult to make a horror game with Leon as the lead. Requiem’s director went on to explain that, unlike Ashcroft, Leon wouldn’t jump at a bucket falling or be frightened by things that would scare those not used to monsters or desolate locations. Nakanishi even went on to refer to Leon as a “bad match for horror.”
Leon Kennedy’s Potential Appearance or Absence in Resident Evil Requiem
Ever since Resident Evil Requiem’s official announcement at the 2025 Summer Games Fest, many fans have theorized about past Resident Evil characters appearing in the game, as it will return to the ruins of Raccoon City. Several rumors also popped up that suggested that Leon Kennedy may return as Requiem’s secret primary or secondary playable protagonist. While Nakanishi’s words during the Capcom Spotlight may have been an attempt to extinguish those Leon rumors, and put more focus back on Ashcroft, there is still potential for Leon to appear in some form in Requiem. Leon may not be Resident Evil Requiem’s protagonist, but he could still show up as a support character.
Toward the end of the Creators’ Message presentation, Nakanishi details how many characters' lives drastically changed following their experiences with the Raccoon City outbreak. This can be seen in the Resident Evil sequels that take place beyond Raccoon City, with characters like Leon, who scoffs at the horrifying scenes he witnesses in Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 6, playing more action-oriented roles. Leon’s character development post Resident Evil 2 could be why Nakanishi sees Leon as a "bad match for horror," and it could be responsible for him losing out on the lead role in Requiem. That said, Nakanishi could simply be attempting to downplay Leon’s role in the game.
Leon’s Potential Secondary or Mentor Role in Requiem
Much of Resident Evil Requiem’s time at the Capcom Spotlight was filled with clips and references to Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. Both of those games featured multiple playable protagonists, and, with Requiem seemingly mirroring their themes, it is possible that Leon will be acting as a secret secondary protagonist, similar to Ada Wong or Carlos Oliveira. Alternatively, Leon could appear intermittently throughout Requiem, helping Ashcroft from afar and aiding her in overcoming her fears. This would allow Capcom to still have Ashcroft experience “addictive fear” throughout Requiem while letting Leon appear as his dynamic self from time to time. Otherwise, Leon could simply not appear directly in Requiem, though his actions in Resident Evil 2 could be referenced.
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