While Capcom has confirmed FBI agent Grace Ashcroft as the lead in Resident Evil Requiem, fans have long speculated whether another familiar “good cop” would turn up. Freshly leaked cover art appears to settle that question: Leon Kennedy does indeed feature in the game.
As reported by Eurogamer, an image intended for the PlayStation Store preload page was posted prematurely and then removed. Before it disappeared, players grabbed screenshots showing Grace Ashcroft — the daughter of reporter Alyssa Ashcroft (from Resident Evil Outbreak) — standing forward with a lantern or flashlight, while an enormous profile of Leon Kennedy looms behind her.
The PlayStation Store’s Resident Evil 9: Requiem pre-load page accidentally leaked Leon Kennedy’s poster! OMG !!! #REBHFun #RE9 #ResidentEvilRequiem #Sony #PS5 #ResidentEvil #LeonKennedy pic.twitter.com/D8Yeu6TEZL
— Berathan (@berathan0) December 9, 2025
The composition suggests Leon’s role will be far more substantial than the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Chris Redfield cameo at the end of Resident Evil 7. With only Grace and Leon depicted on the key art, it’s reasonable to infer he’ll play a major part in the story even if he isn’t the central protagonist.
Back in June, director Koshi Nakanishi remarked that Leon’s steady, unflappable personality might make him a poor fit for pure horror — comments that now look like deliberate misdirection to keep his involvement under wraps.
With The Game Awards just days away, Capcom has already said it will reveal new footage of Resident Evil Requiem — the title is set to launch on Feb. 27 — during the broadcast. If Capcom planned to debut Leon’s inclusion at the show, PlayStation’s early upload appears to have spoiled that plan.
The Game Awards will air on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. EST / 4:30 p.m. PST. For details on viewing options and schedules, see the 2025 Game Awards viewer’s guide.
Source: Polygon
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