As more details about Resident Evil Requiem come to light, fans of Capcom's long-running action horror series have been eager to find out if Leon S. Kennedy will make an appearance. Resident Evil Requiem surprised a lot of gamers at this year's Summer Game Fest with the announcement of the long-awaited next chapter in the series, but what was even more shocking was that the game will be introducing a brand-new protagonist.
Grace Ashcroft is set to lead Resident Evil Requiem's story this time around, and while she looks to be an intriguing character, many are hoping that veteran faces will show up in at least some capacity, especially a fan-favorite like Leon. It's been a long time since he has been featured in a fresh Resident Evil game, and a recent Requiem leak claimed to reveal a picture of Leon's character model for the game. However, this leak may not be as accurate as some would like to believe.
Resident Evil Requiem's Leon Leaks Are Likely Fake, Which Could Be Both Good and Bad News
The Leon S. Kennedy Leaks Explained
Earlier this week, a leaker shared a picture of an older-looking version of Leon wearing an eye patch. This took a lot of fans by surprise, with many being quick to joke that Leon looks more like Big Boss than the RPD officer that they love. It didn't take long for this image to be debunked, though. Prominent Resident Evil leaker Dusk Golem claims that the Leon image is fake. Of course, there's no way to actually know for sure. Indeed, the eye patch-wearing Leon could be fake, but Dusk Golem could also be incorrect. It's hard to say until Capcom finally lifts the veil on whether Leon will actually be in Requiem or not. If he is, though, then this leaked character model creates a difficult situation for the character.
If Leon is in Requiem, His Look Will Be Both a Blessing and a Curse
On the one hand, there are plenty of Resident Evil fans who found the character model to be goofy, but others thought Leon's makeover was cool. If the image is accurate, it's bound to be a divisive change for such a beloved character, but if the picture happens to be fake, fans of the makeover are bound to be disappointed that Capcom kept it safe with his character design. There are still plenty of unanswered questions surrounding Requiem, and the rumors about Leon being in the story are the biggest of all.
Requiem's director, Koshi Nakanishi, has stated in past interviews that Leon is a "bad match for horror," because of his experience and bravery. While this has led many to think that Leon is going to be completely absent, there is still hope for a cameo. Nakanishi took a similar route with RE7 by introducing newcomer Ethan Winters, but Chris Redfield eventually made an appearance, which led to a larger role in Village. Grace Ashcroft's inexperience is intended to heighten the horror, and while that's great, it would be a little disappointing to not see Leon or any of the other franchise veterans.
More Requiem News is Bound to Come to Light
- Resident Evil Requiem launches on February 27, 2026.
- It will be available for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
There are still a few months left before Requiem is here, and in that time, Capcom is bound to make further announcements and reveals. Rumors about Requiem's playable characters continue to pop up, and with The Game Awards looming in the distance, it's possible that a Leon reveal will finally happen.
Only time will tell, though. So, until then, it will be fascinating to see which Requiem leaks and rumors prove to be true and which ones were merely trying to ignite hype.
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