Resident Evil Requiem Developers Reveal Why Leon Isn’t the Protagonist

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Developers of “Resident Evil Vengeance” have disclosed that they initially intended for Leon Kennedy to be the main character, but chose against it for a particular reason. In the Resident Evil series, many main characters are renowned for their badass personas, capable of understanding the madness around them, yet seldom showing fear. Characters like Chris Redfield and Leon Kennedy are highly trained and well-prepared to tackle any situation that comes their way. Ethan Winters is one of the few who doesn’t fit this mold, often appearing more puzzled than scared. However, he was typically more perplexed than terrified.

In other words, Capcom opted to create a character in Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth installment of the series, that reflects the player’s fear. The character, Grace Ashcroft, is an FBI analyst with some weapons training, yet she’s not a seasoned combatant. This makes her competent in dealing with threats but uncomfortable in battle situations, as she’s typically found behind a desk. Developers describe her as introverted, which means taking on grotesque creatures and monsters presents a significant challenge for her.

Resident Evil 9: Why Leon Kennedy Isn’t the Main Character

In a recent update about the game, Capcom disclosed that they initially thought about making Leon Kennedy the central figure in Resident Evil Requiem. However, due to persistent rumors, it’s been confirmed that Grace is the primary character instead. Despite whispers suggesting Leon might have a role elsewhere, Capcom clarified that they decided against making him the main character as fans don’t want to see Leon looking frightened.

Director Koshi Nakanishi mentioned that initially they considered Leon as the protagonist, but finding a way to create a horror game around him proved challenging. Leon doesn’t easily get startled, so it wouldn’t be engaging to watch him scared by small things. As a result, Leon isn’t an ideal character for a horror game due to his calm demeanor.

In the upcoming game “Resident Evil Village“, while Chris Redfield might serve as the main character, there’s a possibility that Leon could also make an appearance as a secondary character. Although the overall atmosphere of “Resident Evil Requiem” seems to be more ominous and solitary than previous games, it remains uncertain how Leon would fit into the storyline if he appears at all. It’s been quite some time since we last saw Leon outside of remakes, in “Resident Evil 6“, so fans are eagerly anticipating his potential return in this new installment.

In addition to their revelations, the developers hinted that the occurrences in Raccoon City had significant ripples throughout the series. Not only did it claim many lives, but it also profoundly affected the lives of those who survived the ordeal. They consider this game as a “requiem” for the series and its characters, which could imply that we might see some familiar faces making appearances.

Instead of asking “What Resident Evil characters do you want to see in Resident Evil 9?”, consider saying “Which Resident Evil characters would you like to appear in Resident Evil 9?” or even more informally, “Who are your preferred characters for Resident Evil 9?”

Also, regarding the release date of Resident Evil Requiem, it might be clearer to say “Resident Evil: Requiem is set to release on February 27th, 2026.” or “Mark your calendars, as Resident Evil: Requiem will hit theaters on February 27th, 2026.

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2025-06-27 02:09