The End of an Era: Resident Evil Requiem Could Be Leon’s Last Major Role

For nearly three decades, Leon S. Kennedy has been one of the foundational pillars of the Resident Evil franchise. From his first day on the job as a rookie cop in Raccoon City to his career as a hardened government agent, Leon has been a fan favorite, a constant presence in both the mainline games and the cinematic spin-offs. With the upcoming release of Resident Evil Requiem (the ninth mainline entry), it appears Capcom is preparing to bid farewell to this iconic character. Recent leaks and rumors suggest that the game will serve as Leon’s “send-off,” marking his last major starring role and concluding his story arc in the franchise. This would be a monumental shift for the series and a bittersweet moment for fans who have followed Leon’s journey for so long.

Resident Evil Requiem, which was officially announced at Summer Game Fest 2025, is already shaping up to be a game-changer for the series. The game is set to take players back to a post-apocalyptic Raccoon City, decades after its destruction. While the main protagonist is a new character, an FBI agent named Grace Ashcroft, leaks from reputable insiders point to Leon having a significant role. This wouldn’t be a simple cameo; his gameplay is reportedly inspired by The Last of Us Part II, with a focus on stealth and gritty, methodical combat. This stylistic choice makes perfect sense for an older, more cynical Leon who has been fighting bio-terror for decades. A story that brings him back to the place where it all began, to face the ghosts of his past one last time, would be a perfect and poetic conclusion to his narrative.

A Legacy of Trauma and Heroism

Leon’s story is a compelling one, defined by a constant battle against the monsters created by the Umbrella Corporation and its successors. The events of Resident Evil 2 were a brutal introduction to a world of biological horror, and it was here that Leon’s unshakeable sense of justice and his desire to protect the innocent were forged. His journey continued in Resident Evil 4, where he evolved from a rookie cop into a highly skilled, one-man army. However, this transformation came at a cost. The games and CGI movies that followed, such as Resident Evil 6 and the animated series Infinite Darkness, have shown a man perpetually haunted by his past, a man who has lost so much in his fight for humanity.

A “send-off” for Leon in Resident Evil Requiem would likely involve him confronting his history with Raccoon City and the US government’s complicity in the bioweapon outbreaks. The game’s new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, is a technical analyst investigating a series of mysterious deaths, and her story is said to be deeply connected to the original Raccoon City outbreak through her mother, a survivor from the spin-off Resident Evil: Outbreak. This setup provides a perfect opportunity for Leon to act as a mentor, a guide, and a tragic figure who has to confront the very system he has been a part of for so long. His final mission would not be just about killing zombies, but about finding a measure of peace and redemption in a world that has only ever given him pain.

The Future of the Series Without Its Veteran

The decision to retire Leon is a bold one, but it is also a necessary step for the franchise to evolve. The developers at Capcom have reportedly felt that Leon’s immense power and experience made him a “bad match for horror.” An older, battle-hardened Leon who can perform suplexes and roundhouse kicks is a difficult character to make feel vulnerable, which is a key component of the survival horror genre. By introducing a new protagonist, they can return to the feeling of dread and powerlessness that made the original games so terrifying. It’s a strategic move that not only honors Leon’s legacy but also opens the door for new stories and new heroes to take the spotlight.

While the prospect of a Resident Evil without Leon Kennedy in a starring role may be hard to imagine, the series has a rich history of strong characters and compelling narratives. With the main plotline of the numbered games reportedly concluding with Requiem, it seems Capcom is preparing to move on to new stories with new characters. The era of Chris, Jill, Leon, and Claire may be coming to a close, but the spirit of the franchise—survival, horror, and a fight against a shadowy organization—will undoubtedly live on. For now, fans can only wait to see how Leon’s final mission in Raccoon City unfolds and hope that his story is given the send-off it deserves.