A leak on the PlayStation Store has confirmed that Leon S. Kennedy will appear in Resident Evil Requiem, despite earlier denials from Capcom developers. The cover art shows the iconic character alongside protagonist Grace Ashcroft, with the game set for release on February 27, 2026. This revelation comes just ahead of The Game Awards 2025 showcase.
Leak Details
The confirmation of Leon S. Kennedy's role in Resident Evil Requiem emerged from an accidental PlayStation Store listing. Screenshots circulating online depict pre-order notifications and cover art featuring Leon positioned behind Grace Ashcroft, the game's announced lead protagonist. IGN and Eurogamer have verified the authenticity of these images, which began spreading on December 9, 2025. The leak suggests Capcom intended to reveal Leon's involvement during The Game Awards later that week.
Background and Denials
Resident Evil Requiem, often referred to as RE9, was first revealed at Summer Game Fest earlier in 2025. Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from the spin-off Resident Evil Outbreak, was introduced as the main character, but Capcom remained vague about returning cast members. Producer Masato Kumazawa addressed rumors last month, dismissing leaked images of Leon—including one with an eyepatch—as 'fake news' in an interview with Stevior. Similarly, director Koshi Nakanishi had previously commented that Leon's unflappable demeanor made him a poor fit for a horror-focused game, stating, 'No one wants to see Leon scared by every little thing.'
Leon's Legacy
Leon S. Kennedy, the Italian-American agent who debuted in Resident Evil 2, has become a fan favorite through his appearances in RE4 and RE6. Recent remakes of RE2 and RE4 have further solidified his popularity in the survival horror series.
Additional Leaks and Release Info
Separate leaks from GameStop listings hint at more content, including potential playable sections for Rosemary Winters—daughter of Ethan Winters from Resident Evil Village—and a Mercenaries mode. However, leaker AestheticGamer noted that such store details can sometimes be inaccurate. Resident Evil Requiem is slated for launch on February 27, 2026, across PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S. Capcom has emphasized efforts to optimize PC performance following issues with titles like Monster Hunter Wilds.