After months of guesses, it is now official that Leon S. Kennedy is set to appear in Resident Evil Requiem. To be clear, this news did not come from Capcom's promo folks but from a surprise leak on the PlayStation Store earlier today.

Leon S. Kennedy Confirmed for Resident Evil Requiem: A Long-Awaited Unexpected Reveal

Fans spotted fresh cover art for the game featuring Leon next to Grace Ashcroft, putting an end to one of the major questions buzzing in the Resident Evil crowd this year.

The picture, which is now popping up everywhere on social media, has Leon in his classic getup like that familiar hair, rough stubble, and leather jacket. But he looks a lot older and more worn out compared to his Resident Evil 4 version, which suggests Requiem is going to dig into a later stage of his journey.

For close to a year, folks in the know have been calling that a leak like this would drop. As early as the start of 2025, insiders were saying Capcom's upcoming title, often called RE9, would include Leon teaming up with Grace Ashcroft.

Plenty of fans brushed off those claims as just hopeful talk, since none of the trailers or promo shots from Capcom featured him. But with this new leak, those early tips look dead on.

Leon’s Return Could Mark His Final Chapter in Series

Earlier info points out that Resident Evil: Requiem splits its story between Grace Ashcroft and Leon, so they can look into events from various times all tied back to Raccoon City.

Leon's side of the plot is expected to revisit some key events from the series past, linking the old stuff with the new.

On top of that, leaker Dusk Golem has suggested Requiem could be Leon's last go-round, finishing off the trilogy that kicked off with Resident Evil 2, went through Resident Evil 4, and wraps here. If that pans out, it would be a solid wrap-up for one of the top characters in games.

To add some context, Resident Evil Requiem is the ninth main entry in the series, shifting focus to new lead Grace Ashcroft while bringing back veterans like Leon for some familiar ties. The game blends survival horror with modern gameplay tweaks, building on lessons from recent remakes. Capcom has stayed quiet so far, but fans figure the character will get an official nod at The Game Awards 2025 on December 11. Since Resident Evil Requiem drops on February 27, 2026, it will not be a long wait before players can jump in with their go-to agent.