Despite how much fans love him, Leon S. Kennedy won’t be the face of Resident Evil Requiem.
Capcom put rumors to rest by confirming he won’t be the protagonist, with tone being the key factor. During the latest developer showcase, director Koshi Nakanishi revealed the reasons behind the team's choice to go another way.
Because Leon’s personality is shaped by years of fighting bioweapons, it doesn’t work well to build a fear-driven horror experience with him. As Nakanishi put it, someone like Leon “wouldn’t jump at a bucket falling.”
In a genre where tension and vulnerability drive the story, that confidence actually works against the game's atmosphere. In his own words, Leon is “a bad match for horror.”
Why Did Capcom Pick Grace Over Familiar Faces?
As Nakanishi explains, the new character was made to embody the emotions players should feel: uncertainty, hesitation, and fear.
Resident Evil Requiem puts the spotlight on Grace Ashcroft, a character without any past in zombie combat. She’s an FBI analyst who, while trained to handle herself in the field, starts off as shy and easily rattled.
She needs time to develop into her role, which suits the horror vibe Capcom aims for in Requiem much better. That kind of character arc just wouldn’t land the same way with Leon, who’s long since evolved into a calm, efficient operative.
Is Leon Really Gone for Good?
Still, Leon’s absence from the initial trailers didn’t go unnoticed, and fans have been scouring every frame for signs he might still be around.
Near the ruins of the Raccoon City Police Department, a familiar-looking truck caught some eyes and reignited talk about his possible role. Capcom hasn’t definitively shut the door, either.
Although the director clarified why Leon isn’t the lead, he didn’t confirm that Leon is entirely out of the game. This vagueness has people guessing Capcom could be hiding a twist—either a story with two leads or a side chapter full of action.
Why Do People Think Leon Is Still Coming Back?
Supporting that theory are comments from leakers like Dusk Golem, who still insist Leon is part of the game, possibly even as a second playable character.
Others refer to the way returning characters have been handled previously in the series.
Chris Redfield didn’t headline Resident Evil Village, but he had a major impact on both the story and gameplay. Giving Leon a solid presence while keeping him in the background would be on-brand for Capcom.
Are the Devs Teasing Us on Purpose?
Resident Evil Requiem will launch just before the franchise’s 30th anniversary, and fans are suspicious since Capcom has a history of surprises, so leaving out a key character would be a missed opportunity.
Some feel the repeated mention of Leon being gone is leading to a bigger reveal. So far, Requiem looks like it’ll be a deliberate, fear-focused game featuring a protagonist meant to build tension and grow.
Not in the lead role, but Leon’s legacy still resonates. He may come in later, but Capcom’s message stands: the story starts with someone just as nervous as the player.
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