Capcom has decided to explore new directions for the horror genre in the Resident Evil franchise and has left out one of its most iconic characters. Leon S. Kennedy, a veteran of the series, will not be the protagonist of the highly anticipated Resident Evil Requiem, and the official reason has finally been revealed. According to the company, the decision is directly related to the game's narrative approach and the emotional profile needed to sustain the horror of the plot.
Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst who is easily frightened, was chosen as the protagonist to bring the player's experience closer to the feeling of vulnerability and fear. Leon, according to Capcom, is too experienced to evoke empathy in this type of context, which would make him, in the words of director Koshi Nakanishi, "a poor choice for horror.".
Grace represents a new type of protagonist in Resident Evil Requiem
The choice of Grace Ashcroft marks a clear change of tone in the franchise. Introverted and emotionally sensitive, the new protagonist is not a ready-made fighter from the start. She feels fear, hesitates in the face of the unknown, and grows throughout the journey. At the same time, she is an experienced federal agent, with technical training and the ability to react rationally in times of crisis.
This balance between emotional fragility and professional competence is key to the psychological horror atmosphere that Capcom intends to deliver in Requiem. According to Nakanishi, the goal is for the player to recognize themselves in the character's fear, and not just observe it from the outside, as would happen with a more confident and invulnerable hero.
Capcom hasn't forgotten about Leon
During Capcom Spotlight 2025, director Koshi Nakanishi directly addressed speculation about Leon's absence. According to him, despite internal attempts to incorporate the character into the story, the team concluded that his presence wouldn't fit the desired level of horror.
“We thought several times about making Leon the protagonist, but it’s difficult to build a horror game around him. He wouldn’t even be scared by a falling bucket ,” the director stated. This statement summarizes the problem: Leon is an established hero, and precisely for that reason, he doesn’t convey the essential vulnerability needed for a narrative of escalating fear.
Trailer suggests connection to the past and reignites theories
Even without Leon as the protagonist, the first trailer for Requiem contains elements that hint at his possible appearance. Keen-eyed fans noticed the presence of the character's van amidst the ruins of the Raccoon City Police Department, fueling theories about a secondary or even playable role in certain sections.
Capcom has neither confirmed nor denied this possibility so far. However, the fact that the director himself commented on Leon during an official presentation already indicates that the discussion is part of the company's communication strategy.
A new direction for the horror franchise
In recent years, Resident Evil has oscillated between intense action and atmospheric horror. With Requiem, Capcom signals a firmer return to psychological terror, prioritizing tension building, the unknown, and the emotional growth of the characters.
Grace's choice reflects this new direction. The proposal is simple, yet ambitious: to put the player in a position to experience fear firsthand, with a protagonist who gets scared, who trembles, but who needs to act as any of us would in an extreme survival scenario.
Resident Evil Requiem will be released on February 27, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
