Leon S Kennedy has been officially confirmed to appear in Resident Evil Requiem (Resident Evil 9) after a PlayStation Store leak on December 8, 2025 revealed updated cover art featuring the beloved character. The image, discovered by fans accessing the game’s pre-download page on PSN, shows Leon standing in the background behind new protagonist Grace Ashcroft, finally settling months of speculation about whether the franchise icon would return after his absence from mainline entries since Resident Evil 6 in 2012.
The leak comes just three days before Resident Evil Requiem’s scheduled appearance at The Game Awards 2025 on December 11, where Capcom almost certainly planned to officially announce Leon’s participation through a new trailer. Instead, PlayStation inadvertently jumped the gun on this major reveal, spoiling what would have been one of the showcase’s biggest moments. Resident Evil Requiem launches February 27, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
The PlayStation Store Leak
Users accessing Resident Evil Requiem’s pre-download page on the PlayStation Store noticed the game’s cover art had been updated to include a second character. While previous promotional materials showed only Grace Ashcroft, the new protagonist announced at Gamescom 2025, the leaked image clearly depicts Leon Kennedy standing behind her. The positioning suggests Leon plays a significant supporting role rather than serving as the sole protagonist, with both characters featured prominently enough to warrant cover placement.
IGN confirmed the leak after verifying the image’s authenticity through multiple sources. Nintendo Life, Eurogamer, and other gaming outlets quickly reported the discovery, with the image spreading across social media within hours. Capcom has not issued a statement addressing the leak as of December 9, 2025, though the company is almost certainly scrambling to adjust their Game Awards presentation now that the surprise has been spoiled.
What the Cover Art Reveals
The leaked cover shows Leon from a side angle, displaying the left side of his face. Interestingly, earlier unverified leaks from September 2025 claimed Leon would appear wearing an eyepatch over his right eye, suggesting he suffered an injury between Resident Evil 6 and Requiem. Since the PlayStation Store image only shows his left side, it neither confirms nor denies the eyepatch detail, though fans now believe that earlier leak may have been accurate given how the cover art specifically hides his right eye.
Leon appears older than his Resident Evil 4 Remake appearance but maintains his signature look as a hardened government agent. The art style and positioning behind Grace suggests he serves as a mentor or supporting character rather than the primary playable protagonist, aligning with Capcom’s stated goal of mixing classic survival horror with action-oriented sequences by splitting gameplay between the two characters.
Months of Speculation Finally Settled
Leon’s appearance in Resident Evil Requiem has been one of 2025’s biggest gaming mysteries, with Capcom consistently refusing to confirm or deny his participation despite relentless fan questioning. The speculation intensified after an alleged on-air slip during IGN’s Gamescom Awards 2025 livestream when host Jane Douglas casually mentioned Leon while praising RE Engine graphics, though Capcom never officially addressed that incident.
Industry insider Dusk Golem claimed in January 2025 that Resident Evil 9 would 100 percent feature Leon Kennedy, though their credibility has been questioned due to inconsistent claims about which Resident Evil remake Capcom is developing. Various Reddit threads throughout 2025 debated whether Leon would appear, with some fans arguing his absence since Resident Evil 6 in 2012 (excluding remakes) made his return overdue, while others believed Capcom wanted to move beyond legacy characters.
Capcom’s Mixed Messaging
In June 2025, Resident Evil Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi told CNET that Leon was initially intended to be the star of the game, but it was difficult to make a horror-focused game based around him as no one wants to see the suave action hero jump at a loud noise. Nakanishi explained that Leon isn’t the type of character who would react to something like a falling bucket, and that he’s actually not well-suited for horror given his established personality as a confident veteran agent.
These comments led many to conclude Leon wouldn’t appear at all, interpreting Nakanishi’s words as confirmation that Capcom abandoned plans to include him. However, in retrospect, the director was likely providing cover for the surprise reveal, explaining why Leon wouldn’t be the primary protagonist while avoiding explicitly confirming his supporting role. This misdirection strategy backfired when PlayStation accidentally revealed the truth months before Capcom’s planned announcement.
Grace Ashcroft and Dual Protagonist Structure
Grace Ashcroft was officially announced as Resident Evil Requiem’s new lead character at Gamescom 2025. Unlike veteran characters like Leon, Chris, Jill, or Claire, Grace is a fresh face without established history in the franchise. This allows Capcom to place her in genuinely horrifying situations where she reacts with appropriate fear and vulnerability, creating the classic survival horror atmosphere that defined early Resident Evil games.
The dual protagonist structure where Grace handles horror-focused segments while Leon takes action-heavy setpieces mirrors Resident Evil 6’s multiple campaign approach but hopefully with better execution. By splitting tonal responsibilities, Capcom can satisfy both survival horror purists who want tense, scary gameplay and action fans who enjoy Leon’s signature combat style without compromising either experience by forcing them into the same character.
Return to Raccoon City
Resident Evil Requiem is confirmed to return to Raccoon City, the location destroyed in Resident Evil 3 by a nuclear missile to contain the T-Virus outbreak. How the city factors into Requiem’s story 28 years after its destruction remains unclear, though possibilities include flashback sequences, underground sections that survived the blast, or contamination spreading from the ruins to surrounding areas requiring investigation.
Leon’s connection to Raccoon City makes narrative sense for his inclusion. His first mission as a rookie cop occurred during the Raccoon City outbreak in Resident Evil 2, making any story revisiting the location personally significant for his character. Grace’s connection to Raccoon City hasn’t been explained, though she might be a survivor, descendant of survivors, or investigator exploring the disaster’s long-term consequences.
First and Third Person Options
Capcom confirmed Resident Evil Requiem will offer both first-person and third-person camera options, allowing players to choose their preferred perspective. This continues the approach introduced in Resident Evil Village where both options were available, though Requiem presumably implements the dual camera system more comprehensively from the start rather than adding first-person post-launch.
The dual camera system accommodates different player preferences while potentially serving narrative purposes. Grace’s horror-focused segments might feel more claustrophobic and intense in first-person, while Leon’s action sequences could benefit from third-person’s wider field of view for combat. Players can choose which perspective they prefer or potentially switch between them for different characters if Capcom allows that level of customization.
February 27, 2026 Release Date
Resident Evil Requiem launches February 27, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. The relatively early 2026 release date surprises some observers given that the game was only formally announced at Gamescom 2025 in August, suggesting Capcom kept development largely secret until the title was nearly complete to avoid extended marketing cycles that can exhaust audience interest.
The inclusion of Nintendo Switch 2 confirms Capcom received development kits for Nintendo’s next-generation console well before its public announcement. The game will presumably run at reduced graphical settings on Switch 2 compared to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions, but Capcom’s expertise with the RE Engine ensures competent ports across hardware with varying power levels.
The Game Awards Presentation
Resident Evil Requiem is confirmed to appear at The Game Awards 2025 on December 11, just two days after the PlayStation Store leak. Capcom almost certainly planned to debut a trailer officially revealing Leon’s participation, building anticipation through a dramatic reveal that would generate enormous buzz and social media engagement. Instead, the leak forced the company to adjust their presentation strategy with Leon’s appearance now being common knowledge.
The trailer will likely focus on gameplay footage showing both Grace and Leon in action, demonstrating how the dual protagonist structure functions and giving fans their first look at Leon in the game. Story details, additional characters, and perhaps a new gameplay mechanic or monster type will fill the presentation now that the Leon surprise has been spoiled. Capcom might even lean into the leak by opening the trailer with a humorous acknowledgment before diving into new information.
Leon’s Legacy in Resident Evil
Leon S Kennedy debuted in Resident Evil 2 in 1998 as a rookie police officer arriving in Raccoon City for his first day on the force, only to find the city overrun by zombies. His survival of that nightmare led to recruitment as a government agent, appearing in Resident Evil 4 in 2005 where he rescued the President’s daughter from a cult in Spain. Resident Evil 6 in 2012 featured Leon in one of its multiple campaigns, marking his last mainline appearance before the 13-year gap until Requiem.
The character’s popularity exploded with Resident Evil 4, which many consider one of gaming’s greatest achievements. Leon’s evolution from scared rookie to confident action hero across the series made him a franchise icon alongside Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine. The Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 remakes in 2019 and 2023 respectively introduced Leon to new generations of players, maintaining his cultural relevance even during his absence from new mainline entries.
FAQs
Is Leon Kennedy confirmed in Resident Evil Requiem?
Yes, Leon S Kennedy was confirmed to appear in Resident Evil Requiem via a PlayStation Store leak on December 8, 2025. Updated cover art showing Leon behind protagonist Grace Ashcroft officially confirms his participation.
When does Resident Evil Requiem release?
Resident Evil Requiem launches February 27, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Is Leon the main character in Resident Evil 9?
No, Grace Ashcroft is the new lead protagonist. Leon appears in a supporting role, likely handling action-oriented segments while Grace focuses on survival horror gameplay.
When was Leon last in a mainline Resident Evil game?
Leon last appeared in Resident Evil 6 in 2012, marking a 13-year gap until Requiem (excluding remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4).
Will Leon wear an eyepatch in Resident Evil Requiem?
Unverified September 2025 leaks claimed Leon would wear an eyepatch over his right eye. The PlayStation Store cover art only shows his left side, neither confirming nor denying this detail.
Why did Capcom say Leon isn’t suited for horror?
Director Koshi Nakanishi explained in June 2025 that Leon’s established personality as a confident veteran agent makes it difficult to create horror scenarios where he reacts with appropriate fear, likely misdirection for the eventual reveal.
Where does Resident Evil Requiem take place?
The game returns to Raccoon City, the location destroyed in Resident Evil 3. How the city factors into the story 28 years after its nuclear destruction hasn’t been explained.
Will Resident Evil Requiem be at The Game Awards?
Yes, Capcom will showcase Resident Evil Requiem at The Game Awards 2025 on December 11, likely with a trailer featuring Leon now that his appearance has leaked.
Conclusion
The PlayStation Store leak confirming Leon S Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem ends months of speculation and settles one of 2025’s biggest gaming mysteries three days before Capcom’s planned reveal at The Game Awards. For fans who have waited 13 years since Resident Evil 6 to see Leon in a new mainline entry, the confirmation brings relief and excitement even if the surprise was spoiled through an accidental leak rather than a dramatic trailer reveal. The dual protagonist structure pairing Leon with new character Grace Ashcroft represents Capcom’s attempt to balance classic survival horror with action-oriented gameplay by splitting tonal responsibilities between characters suited for each style. Whether this approach succeeds where Resident Evil 6’s multiple campaigns stumbled remains to be seen, but the February 27, 2026 release date means fans won’t wait long to find out. The Game Awards presentation on December 11 will provide the first official look at Leon in Requiem along with gameplay footage demonstrating how Grace and Leon’s stories intersect across the return to Raccoon City. While the leak robbed Capcom of their surprise announcement, it generated enormous buzz and goodwill from a community thrilled to see their favorite character return after over a decade away from mainline games. Leon Kennedy is back, and whether he’s wearing that rumored eyepatch or not, his participation in Resident Evil Requiem ensures the game will attract millions of fans eager to see what adventures await the legendary government agent in his return to the city where his nightmare began.