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Leon Kennedy Confirmed for ‘Resident Evil Requiem’ Amidst major Pre-Release Leaks
A wave of leaks originating from the PlayStation Store and GameStop has confirmed the long-anticipated return of Leon S. Kennedy to the Resident Evil franchise in the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem, scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. The revelations, which surfaced earlier this week, suggest Capcom intended to unveil Kennedy’s appearance at The Game Awards 2025.
The initial leak stemmed from PlayStation Network users sharing screenshots of a pre-order notification. These images showcased game cover art featuring Kennedy alongside the game’s new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft. Gaming news outlet IGN later verified the authenticity of the circulating screenshots.
Kennedy, a mainstay of the series since his debut in Resident Evil 2, has become a fan-favorite thanks to his roles in RE4 and RE6, and the critically acclaimed remakes of RE2 and RE4. The character’s inclusion in Requiem was heavily speculated upon following the game’s reveal at Summer Game Fest, though Capcom remained tight-lipped about the possibility of veteran characters joining Ashcroft.
Interestingly, Capcom producer Masato Kumazawa publicly dismissed earlier leaked images of Kennedy last month, stating, “There has been a photo lately of Leon with an eyepatch, and just basically saying there’s a DLC or a new costume for Leon-but just to make sure, these are all fake news.” this denial, made in an interview with Stevior, now appears to have been a strategic attempt to preserve a key marketing reveal.
https://twitter.com/Tylerpbel/status/1734499999999999999
A social media post from @Tylerpbel highlighted the leaked game cover art, noting Kennedy’s appearance reflects his design from the Resident Evil 4 Remake but with a more aged look.
But Kennedy isn’t the only surprise in store for Resident Evil fans. Leaks from GameStop, shared by prominent Resident Evil insider AestheticGamer (formerly Dusk Golem), point to the potential inclusion of another playable character: Rosemary Winters.
https://twitter.com/AestheticGamer1/status/1734158888888888888
According to a listing for the PC Deluxe Edition, the game will feature a “Sanctuary” expansion pass with two new story scenarios, a robust “Mercenaries mode,” a unique cosmetic for Rose, and multiple outfits for Rosemary Winters. This strongly suggests Rosemary, the daughter of Resident Evil Village protagonist Ethan Winters, will be a playable character, though AestheticGamer cautioned that store listings can be inaccurate due to employee input.
Further details revealed in the leaked Deluxe Edition content include a “FBI Visor” mechanic for Grace Ashcroft and the confirmation of two planned story DLCs for Resident Evil Requiem.
The series of leaks underscores the intense anticipation surrounding Resident Evil Requiem and Capcom’s efforts to maintain secrecy around key elements of the game. While the company has yet to officially comment on the leaks, the evidence strongly suggests fans are in for a thrilling return to the world of survival horror with both familiar and new faces.
