Capcom has clarified why Leon S. Kennedy will not serve as the central character in Resident Evil Requiem, citing his background and overall persona. While many fans have expressed a desire to see Leon return, the game’s initial trailer emphasized a different character entirely.

Resident Evil Requiem marks the franchise’s return to Raccoon City since its seminal events. The character taking on the lead role this time will be Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a playable character from Resident Evil Outbreak.

During the Resident Evil Requiem Capcom spotlight broadcast, the development team, including director Koshi Nakanishi, discussed their decision to choose Grace Ashcroft as the protagonist. They noted that crafting a horror experience around Leon would present challenges due to his extensive experience in previous titles. “Players wouldn’t want to see Leon flinching at every scare, making him a poor fit for a horror game,” Nakanishi stated.

In contrast, Grace Ashcroft is portrayed as an introverted character, scared easily yet skilled as an FBI analyst, possessing firearms training. This choice aims to provide players with a protagonist who encounters horror from a more relatable perspective, much like their own.

While Leon fans may be disappointed, the rationale behind the development team’s choice is understandable, given León’s veteran status in the series. His character has been prominent across numerous narrations, animated material, and spin-offs throughout the Resident Evil franchise.