Why won't Leon Kennedy be in Resident Evil: Requiem? Capcom believes that the legendary hero is "not suitable for horror"

Resident Evil fans who have been eagerly awaiting the return of Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil: Requiem (aka Resident Evil 9), get ready for Capcom's frank truth. Although the preliminary information confirmed that the main character will be Grace Ashcroft, the daughter of Alice Ashcroft from Resident Evil: Outbreak, many hoped that the iconic Leon would still appear as a playable character. Nevertheless, during the June presentation of Capcom 2025, the developers explained why Leon is "not very suitable for horror".

Here's What We Know

"We have always thought about making Leon the main character," the developer said during the showcase, "but it is difficult to create a horror game based on him. He won't get scared if a bucket falls. No one wants to see Leon get scared of every little thing. That's why he's actually quite bad for horror."

Instead, Grace Ashcroft is reportedly an FBI analyst who is skilled with weapons but must learn to overcome some of her fears over the course of the game's story, as she is "introverted and easily frightened" at first. This approach will allow players to experience real horror and the development of a character who gradually becomes stronger in the face of danger.

Leon has previously been the protagonist of three main Resident Evil titles: Resident Evil 2 (alongside Claire Redfield), Resident Evil 4 (often recognised as the best game in the series), and Resident Evil 6 (as one of several playable characters). He has also appeared in several other offshoots throughout the Resident Evil history, such as ReVerse and Operation Raccoon City, and is considered one of the most prominent figures in the franchise.

It is unclear at this time what role, if any, Leon might play in Resident Evil: Requiem. However, Capcom tends to introduce its well-known characters into its stories even if they are not the main characters or playable characters. Chris Redfield, for example, plays an important role in Resident Evil: Village.

Resident Evil: Requiem is out on 27 February 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S.

Source: Capcom