The June 2025 Capcom Spotlight revealed new information about some of the developer’s upcoming games, includingResident Evil Requiem. Indeed, Capcom shared a short video during the presentation whereinResident Evil Requiemdevelopers Koshi Nakanishi, Masachika Kawata, Tomonori Takano, and Masato Kumazawa discussed their influences and the direction being taken for the ninth mainlineResident Evilgame. A highlight of this “Creators' Message” was Nakanishi directly addressing Leon Kennedy’s connection toRequiem, potentially teasing Kennedy’s appearance in the game.
Resident Evil Requiem’s Capcom Spotlight Explained
Nakanishi introduced the presentation by detailing how Capcom’s core concept forResident Evil Requiemis “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 ofRequiem. Later on, Nakanishi reaffirmed that FBI intelligence analystGrace Ashcroft isResident Evil Requiem’s protagonist, and he noted that Ashcroft is a new type of character for theResident Evilfranchise 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 throughoutRequiem.
Nakanishi then used these details aboutResident Evil Requiem’s themesand Ashcroft’s character to directly compareRequiemand Ashcroft to pastResident Evilgames and Leon Kennedy. Here, Nakanishi revealed that Capcom “… always thought about making Leon the protagonist [forRequiem]” 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 sinceResident Evil Requiem’s official announcementat the 2025 Summer Games Fest, many fans have theorized about pastResident Evilcharacters 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 asRequiem’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 inRequiem. Leon may not beResident 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 theRaccoon City outbreak. This can be seen in theResident Evilsequels that take place beyond Raccoon City, with characters like Leon, who scoffs at the horrifying scenes he witnesses inResident Evil 4andResident Evil 6, playing more action-oriented roles. Leon’s character development postResident Evil 2could be why Nakanishi sees Leon as a “bad match for horror,” and it could be responsible for him losing out on the lead role inRequiem. 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 ofResident Evil Requiem’s time at the Capcom Spotlight was filled with clips and references toResident Evil 2andResident Evil 3. Both of those games featured multiple playable protagonists, and, withRequiemseemingly mirroring their themes, it is possible that Leon will be acting as a secret secondary protagonist, similar toAda Wong or Carlos Oliveira. Alternatively, Leon could appear intermittently throughoutRequiem,helping Ashcroft from afar and aiding her in overcoming her fears. This would allow Capcom to still have Ashcroft experience “addictive fear” throughoutRequiemwhile letting Leon appear as his dynamic self from time to time. Otherwise, Leon could simply not appear directly inRequiem, though his actions inResident Evil 2could be referenced.
