The first trailer for Resident Evil Requiem might have spotlighted a new character, Grace Ashcroft, but the spotlight hasn’t fully shifted from a familiar face-Leon S. Kennedy. 
Fans are already speculating that Leon, the floppy-haired fan-favorite, could make a surprise return in the latest entry of the survival horror series.
These rumors have been fueled by claims from renowned Resident Evil leaker, Dusk Golem, who has hinted at Leon’s involvement in the game for quite some time. Let’s take a deeper dive into the trailer for Resident Evil Requiem and see why many believe Leon might be making a return.
The trailer kicks off with an introduction to Grace Ashcroft, who is hinted to be the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak. We also get a glimpse of Raccoon City, now a ruin after the missile strike at the end of Resident Evil 3. While Raccoon City has been featured in several Resident Evil titles, its most iconic moments are tied to Leon, especially in Resident Evil 2. In the trailer for Resident Evil 9, we see the wreckage of the Raccoon City Police Department, Leon’s old workplace, and some fans believe they even spot Leon’s iconic car still parked outside. Could this be a sign of his involvement in the plot?
The setting certainly raises suspicions about a Leon-related storyline, particularly with Grace’s role as a government agent. After the events in Raccoon City, Leon became a special agent serving the U.S. president, which ties him directly to the events in Resident Evil 4 and 6. This connection has led fans to theorize that Leon and Grace could have a past together, or perhaps their paths will soon cross.
Some fans have gone a step further, claiming the trailer includes a snippet of Leon’s voice. At the 2:45 mark, a line of dialogue can be heard, “Investigating all these strange deaths, huh?” Some believe this could be Leon’s voice, provided by Nick Apostolides, the actor who has portrayed him in the recent Resident Evil Remakes and Infinite Darkness series.
There’s also another interesting tidbit from Apostolides’ online resume. The actor lists a “AAA Video Game” role that is yet to be revealed due to an NDA, but his job description includes voice and performance capture, which matches his past contributions to the Resident Evil franchise.
And then there’s Dusk Golem, the notorious Resident Evil leaker. Dusk Golem has repeatedly mentioned that Leon will be a central figure in Requiem. While Leon may not fully take center stage right away, Dusk Golem claims the game will feature Leon as the main playable character, with more of his presence becoming clear as the marketing ramps up. According to the leaker, Requiem is intended to be the final chapter in Leon’s trilogy, completing his evolution from rookie cop to government agent and finally to mentor of the younger Grace Ashcroft.
If these leaks are true, it’s safe to say that Leon fans can expect a significant role in Resident Evil Requiem, and maybe even a much-needed happy ending for the character after everything he’s been through over the years.
Resident Evil Requiem is set for release on February 27, 2026, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.