The Resident Evil community is buzzing after an unreleased interview video about Resident Evil 9: Requiem started making rounds online. The leaked footage has fans piecing together clues about Leon Kennedy’s return and a mysterious infection that could change everything we know about the beloved character.
Leon’s Big Secret Finally Surfaces
According to multiple developer interviews that recently surfaced, Leon Kennedy is hiding something major in Resident Evil 9: Requiem. Producer Akifumi Nakanishi confirmed that Leon has “a big secret” tied to something called Elpis, a mysterious element that plays a crucial role in the game’s story. Screenshots from the latest trailer show what appears to be a dark, bloodied wound on Leon’s neck, sparking intense speculation about whether he’s been infected again.
The wound has fans worried. Some believe it’s a fresh zombie bite from his investigation at the Wrenwood Hotel, while others think his old Las Plagas infection from Resident Evil 4 might be resurfacing. Either way, this marks the third time Leon faces infection in the franchise, following his encounters with Las Plagas in both Resident Evil 4 and Death Island.
What Does Elpis Actually Mean
In ancient Greek mythology, Elpis represents the final spirit left in Pandora’s Box after all the world’s evils escaped. While commonly interpreted as “hope,” some scholars view it as “disaster.” Nakanishi emphasized that Elpis carries important meaning in Requiem’s narrative and is directly connected to Leon’s secret. The dual nature of hope and disaster fits perfectly with Leon’s journey, as he returns to Raccoon City decades after surviving its initial outbreak.
The leaked interview materials suggest this infection storyline isn’t just throwaway drama. It appears to be central to Leon’s character arc in what many fans believe could be his final main appearance in the franchise. The idea of Leon, now in his mid-40s and a seasoned veteran, facing a threat he can’t simply punch or shoot his way through adds genuine stakes to his story.
Two Heroes Two Completely Different Games
Resident Evil 9: Requiem splits gameplay almost equally between Leon Kennedy and newcomer Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst investigating her mother’s murder. Director Koshi Nakanishi revealed in a Famitsu interview that Grace’s sections follow the survival horror formula of Resident Evil 2, emphasizing vulnerability and resource management. She’s described as “the biggest scaredy-cat in Resident Evil history,” which makes sense for someone thrust into nightmare scenarios without training.
Leon’s gameplay takes the opposite approach, drawing from Resident Evil 4’s action-heavy mechanics. Players can expect martial arts moves, roundhouse kicks, melee combat, and even chainsaw action. The leaked interview confirms Leon uses military equipment like a tactical tomahawk and maintains his signature cool demeanor under pressure. Nakanishi previously mentioned that making a horror game centered on Leon presents challenges because “he wouldn’t jump at something like a bucket falling.”
The structure mirrors Resident Evil: Revelations, with alternating chapters between both characters. Developers compare the experience to alternating between a hot sauna and cold bath, creating emotional highs and lows that keep players engaged. Grace handles the psychological investigation and pure survival horror, while Leon delivers explosive combat sequences against hordes of infected.
Gameplay Split Breakdown
- Grace Ashcroft – Survival horror focus, limited resources, stealth mechanics, investigative gameplay
- Leon Kennedy – Action horror emphasis, martial arts combat, advanced weaponry, experienced veteran approach
- Nearly 50/50 split between both characters
- Stories intersect and overlap throughout the campaign
- First-person perspective for maximum immersion and fear
Returning to Raccoon City After 30 Years
Resident Evil 9: Requiem marks the first time in decades that the franchise returns to its most iconic location. Grace investigates mysterious deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel, situated in what remains of Raccoon City. The ruined police department where Leon spent his infamous first day on the job serves as a key location, connecting his past trauma to the present crisis.
The setting carries multiple layers of meaning. The title “Requiem” references both Grace mourning her mother’s death eight years prior and a memorial for everyone who died during the original Raccoon City incident. Nakanishi wanted the devastated city to have emotional weight, showing how time hasn’t healed those wounds. Leon’s return after so many years adds poignancy, forcing him to confront memories while dealing with his mysterious infection.
Development Journey and Release Plans
Resident Evil 9 has one of the longest development cycles in franchise history. According to leaker Dusk Golem, development started in 2017 shortly after Resident Evil 7’s release. The project went through a major reset around 2021, with developers scrapping earlier open-world concepts to refocus on traditional survival horror elements. This explains why rumors and leaks from years ago no longer align with current information.
Capcom officially confirmed Leon’s involvement after PlayStation Store accidentally leaked key artwork in December 2025. The reveal ended months of speculation and coy responses from developers who refused to confirm or deny his presence. A major gameplay showcase featuring Leon debuted at The Game Awards, giving fans their first proper look at his combat abilities and the mysterious neck wound.
Resident Evil 9: Requiem launches February 27, 2026 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Capcom plans additional showcases in early 2026 leading up to release, though whether they’ll release a public demo remains uncertain. The game reportedly has the largest budget in franchise history, signaling Capcom’s commitment to making this a definitive entry.
Key Release Information
| Release Date | Platforms | Development Time |
|---|---|---|
| February 27, 2026 | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Approximately 9 years (with reset) |
Why This Could Be Leon’s Final Chapter
Many fans view Resident Evil 9: Requiem as the conclusion of Leon’s personal trilogy spanning Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, and now Requiem. His character arc began as a rookie cop surviving his first day, evolved into a government agent battling bioterrorism across the globe, and now brings him full circle back to where it all started. The infection storyline adds finality, suggesting real consequences for decades of exposure to biological weapons.
Nakanishi’s comments about Leon’s unsuitability for pure horror gameplay also support this theory. After establishing Leon as an action hero in recent games, Capcom needs a fresh protagonist like Grace to recapture genuine fear and vulnerability. Having Leon potentially succumb to infection, sacrifice himself, or retire after one final mission would provide emotional closure while passing the torch to a new generation.
The leaked interview hints that Leon’s sections explore his past, particularly his experiences during and after Raccoon City. Players might learn what Leon did during gaps in the timeline or discover why he never returned to Raccoon City until now. These narrative threads suggest Capcom wants to give Leon a proper send-off rather than leaving his story hanging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leon Kennedy infected in Resident Evil 9?
Multiple sources including screenshots and developer interviews strongly suggest Leon has some form of infection connected to the mysterious “Elpis” element. A visible wound on his neck in recent trailers has sparked intense fan speculation about whether it’s a zombie bite or a resurfacing of his previous Las Plagas infection.
What is the Elpis virus in RE9?
Elpis is a new story element in Resident Evil 9: Requiem connected to Leon’s “big secret.” The name comes from Greek mythology, representing either hope or disaster depending on interpretation. Producer Akifumi Nakanishi confirmed it plays an important role in the narrative but hasn’t revealed specific details about whether it’s a virus, parasite, or something else entirely.
Can you play as Leon in Resident Evil 9?
Yes, Leon Kennedy is fully playable in Resident Evil 9: Requiem with gameplay split almost equally between him and protagonist Grace Ashcroft. Leon’s sections emphasize action combat with martial arts, melee attacks, and advanced weapons based on Resident Evil 4’s mechanics, while Grace focuses on survival horror similar to Resident Evil 2.
When does Resident Evil 9 Requiem release?
Resident Evil 9: Requiem launches February 27, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Capcom plans additional gameplay showcases in early 2026, though a public demo hasn’t been confirmed yet despite player demand following the Gamescom demo.
Is this Leon’s last Resident Evil game?
While Capcom hasn’t officially confirmed this as Leon’s final appearance, multiple factors suggest it could be. The game completes a trilogy spanning RE2, RE4, and RE9, with Leon returning to Raccoon City where his story began. The infection storyline and developer comments about Leon being unsuitable for pure horror games hint at a potential conclusion to his character arc.
Why did the RE9 interview leak?
An unreleased interview video featuring Resident Evil 9: Requiem developers surfaced online through unofficial channels, sparking discussion on Reddit and social media. The leak contained details about Leon’s secret, gameplay mechanics, and story elements that Capcom hadn’t officially revealed yet. Similar leaks occurred when PlayStation Store accidentally published key artwork confirming Leon’s presence before the official announcement.
What’s the difference between Grace and Leon’s gameplay?
Grace Ashcroft’s gameplay emphasizes survival horror with limited resources, stealth mechanics, and vulnerability similar to Resident Evil 2. She lacks combat experience and reacts fearfully to threats. Leon Kennedy’s sections focus on action horror with martial arts combat, melee moves, advanced weaponry, and confident veteran behavior based on Resident Evil 4’s mechanics. The contrasting styles create varied pacing throughout the campaign.
Final Thoughts
The leaked Resident Evil 9: Requiem interview has given fans more questions than answers about Leon Kennedy’s fate. The mysterious Elpis connection, visible neck wound, and developer hints about his “big secret” all point toward a storyline with real stakes and consequences. Whether this marks Leon’s final chapter or simply another harrowing adventure remains to be seen when the game launches in February 2026.
What makes this particularly exciting is how Capcom balances nostalgia with innovation. Bringing Leon back to Raccoon City provides emotional resonance for longtime fans, while introducing Grace as a vulnerable protagonist recaptures the terror that made early Resident Evil games so memorable. The dual-protagonist structure allows both survival horror purists and action fans to enjoy their preferred gameplay style within a single cohesive narrative.
As more official information releases in the coming months, expect the speculation around Leon’s infection and potential sacrifice to intensify. Resident Evil fans know Capcom isn’t afraid to kill beloved characters when the story demands it. With Requiem serving as both a requiem for Raccoon City’s victims and potentially for Leon himself, February 2026 can’t come soon enough.