Internet-based rumors about Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem are "fake news," according to producer Masato Kumazawa. While Kumazawa hasn't directly ruled out the possibility of Leon making an appearance in Resident Evil Requiem, he's also urging fans to use a bit more scrutiny in the unofficial reports they see floating around online.
First launched in 1996, the Resident Evil franchise has enthralled horror game fans for nearly three decades, with eight mainline games and even more spin-offs. A ninth main entry, Resident Evil Requiem, is set to hit all current-gen consoles and PC on February 27, 2026. Rather than the series sticking to one central protagonist, there are plenty of beloved Resident Evil characters that players have controlled over the years. However, Raccoon City police rookie-turned-government agent Leon Kennedy is one of the first and most popular characters on that list, having made his debut in Resident Evil 2.
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Resident Evil Requiem Producer Debunks Leon Kennedy Rumors
Leaks claiming Leon Kennedy will be in Resident Evil Requiem have been around since at least May, with rumors growing in intensity over the summer and pushing the popular character into a starring role. However, in a new interview with Stevivor, the upcoming game's producer has debunked a lot of those rumors. Kumazawa urged fans to temper their expectations specifically around information that has been released directly by Capcom, saying they should "not take everything at face value." The producer reminded potential players that advancements in AI technology have made it easier for anyone to create falsified images and videos, and he seemed sympathetic to fans who are just trying to find out more about the game, noting that this technology can lead to a lot of confusion about what's real.
Specifically, Kumazawa singled out a rumor from September that Leon would be getting a new look in Resident Evil Requiem, sporting an older, more rugged appearance and an eye patch, which accompanied a related rumor that it could be an alternate DLC costume. These were the only specific pieces of information that the producer directly dubbed as "fake news," though he also noted that unless information has been released directly by Capcom, he will not be able to confirm it.
Capcom has been much more open about the backstory of Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Resident Evil: Outbreak's Alyssa Ashcroft and the upcoming game's confirmed protagonist. A full trailer dedicated to her story was released in August, showing a somewhat strained relationship within the family. While it's certainly not uncommon for Resident Evil games to feature multiple playable characters, no confirmation of Leon being in the game has come from Capcom, with just about three months left until release.
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Source: Stevivor