Key Highlights:
- Leaks suggest Leon S. Kennedy may play his last major role in Resident Evil Requiem.
- Capcom appears to be shifting focus to newcomer Grace Ashcroft.
- Gameplay changes hint at a split between action-driven and horror-driven experiences.
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The Resident Evil series has always evolved with the times, and Resident Evil 9, officially titled RE Requiem, looks set to carry the franchise into a new era. The game is scheduled for release on February 27th, 2026, but fans won’t have to wait long for the next big reveal – a fresh trailer drops August 19th during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live.
What makes RE Requiem stand out already is the conversation around its cast. The reveal trailer centered on Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst stepping into the chaos of Raccoon City, but long-time fans immediately asked: where’s Leon? After all, he’s been a cornerstone of Resident Evil since Resident Evil 2 1998.
The Future of Leon Kennedy
According to reliable leaks circulating online, Leon isn’t gone, but his presence in RE Requiem may mark the end of an era. Insider reports from Dusk Golem suggest that Leon S. Kennedy will share protagonist duties with Grace, though his sections will lean toward action-driven set-pieces rather than the psychological tension Capcom wants from Grace’s story.
From what I’ve seen across past entries, this split makes sense. Leon’s confident, almost cinematic action-hero persona has been growing since Resident Evil 4. As much as I love running through dark hallways with him, it’s fair to say that tone doesn’t always align with the slower, more survival-driven horror that Capcom has leaned back into with Resident Evil 7 and Village. Handing some of the heavier horror moments to Grace allows Capcom to balance both sides of its fanbase.
Combat Innovations and Gameplay Shifts
Leaks also suggest major changes to gameplay. Leon’s sequences reportedly take cues from The Last of Us Part II – tighter gunplay, brutal melee encounters, and environmental interactions that make firefights feel more grounded. Grace, meanwhile, will embody the slower-paced, tension-filled exploration, with mechanics emphasising light, darkness, and physics-based puzzles.
If true, that essentially gives RE Requiem two distinct gameplay flavours. I’ve played enough Resident Evil to know how hard it is to balance horror and action without losing the series’ identity, but if Capcom pulls it off, it could be one of the most ambitious entries since Resident Evil 4 changed the genre.
This transition marks a crucial turning point for the franchise, highlighting the significance of the upcoming game in both honouring its history and shaping its future.
Passing the Torch
Perhaps the most significant detail from the leaks is the claim that this will be “Leon’s last major role in the timeline.” That doesn’t necessarily mean fans will never see him again – spin-offs, CGI films, and side projects remain possibilities. But within the mainline series, Requiem could close his chapter.
If that’s the case, it positions Grace Ashcroft not just as a one-off lead, but potentially the face of Resident Evil going forward. It’s a bold move, but one that reflects the series’ willingness to reinvent itself every few years.
Think of it like The Avengers, from Tony Stark to Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and there is a shift of out with the old, in with the new.
Capcom hasn’t confirmed Leon’s role, and leaks should always be taken with caution. Still, between whispers of dual protagonists, evolving combat, and a thematic focus on endings and new beginnings, Requiem already feels like one of the most important Resident Evil titles in years.
What I would say, is Dusk Golem is hardly ever wrong, and most definitely the most credible leaker in the horror industry when it comes to video games.
The Gamescom trailer on August 19 should reveal more, and if Leon does step into the spotlight, fans may finally get clarity on whether this really is his swan song.
A quick heads-up, if you have got a PlayStation Plus Premium membership, you can currently get the original Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis which includes up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and filter options.