After his last appearance in Resident Evil 6 (beyond the RE2 and RE4 remakes), fans may once again see one of the series’ most iconic characters, Leon S. Kennedy, in the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem.
Rumors suggest that the fan-favorite federal agent will return in the ninth main entry of the game, and recent leaks hint at his bold new look. So, is it really Kennedy, or just another character players are about to meet?
Will Leon Kennedy Return In Resident Evil Requiem?
The rumor mill has continously hinted that Leon will be part of Resident Evil Requiem, and new leaks provide fresh insights into his look and gameplay.
According to information shared by YouTube channel Residence of Evil, which comes from well-known Resident Evil insider DuskGolem, Leon will reportedly appear unshaven, with greying hair, and wearing a black jacket.
Dusk also shut down earlier claims that Leon would wear an eyepatch, calling those leaks fake and confirming that his sources had verified this.
In terms of gameplay, Leon’s sections won’t be open world, but they will feature larger areas compared to those of the new protagonist, FBI agent Grace Ashcroft.
At one point, Leon will also use a vehicle to travel—similar to the boat sequence in Resident Evil 4. His campaign will lean more toward action, but RE4 and Resident Evil Village.
However, unlike those titles, there will be no possessed statues, armored enemies, or mecha-style fights in RE9.
The overall tone will also feature less camp, with Dusk suggesting it could draw comparisons to Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us in terms of gameplay atmosphere.
Perhaps the most intriguing detail is that Leon’s story is said to take place in 2020, while Grace’s campaign unfolds in 2028. Although their narratives will differ, Dusk added that they are both expected to form one cohesive story that interconnects their journeys.
Of course, fans should take these claims with a grain of salt until Capcom makes an official announcement.
Still, Dusk hinted that confirmation could arrive at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show on September 25-28 at Makuhari Messe in Japan, where Leon’s trailer might finally be revealed.
Will Resident Evil Requiem Return to Racoon City?
Resident Evil Requiem will introduce Grace, an FBI analyst who is relentlessly pursued by a monster throughout the game—similar to Mr. X and Lady Dimitrescu.
The game will return to its roots, taking place in Raccoon City, 30 years after its destruction in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis and decades after the T-Virus outbreak.
Grace will investigate a string of mysterious deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel, the same place where her mother, Alyssa, died eight years earlier.
Unlike other Resident Evil protagonists such as Leon and Jill Valentine, Grace is not skilled in combat. Instead, she relies on her intellect and deep knowledge as an introverted bookworm.
With RE9 set in the ruins of Raccoon City, speculation grows that Leon may also return to the place where his journey first began.
Leon was introduced as a rookie police officer in Resident Evil 2 (1998), and setting Resident Evil Requiem in 2028 would explain his older appearance in the rumored leaks. Still, fans are advised not to get their hopes up until his return is officially confirmed.
Resident Evil Requiem is scheduled to release on February 27, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.