Leon S. Kennedy’s presence in the upcoming game Resident Evil: Requiem has been officially, though unintentionally, confirmed through a leaked image on the PlayStation Store. The reveal of the game’s new cover art, featuring Leon, finally ends months of fan speculation and developer secrecy just days before Requiem‘s expected appearance at The Game Awards 2025.

Details of Leon’s Appearance

The leaked cover art, which began appearing on PlayStation 5 consoles for owners of the standard version, shows a stubbled and haggard looking Leon S. Kennedy looming over the game’s other main protagonist, Grace Ashcroft. His look is reminiscent of his iconic appearance in Resident Evil 4, complete with his floppy hair and a snazzy, fur lined leather jacket. Capcom had previously remained evasive about the character’s involvement, even suggesting that Leon might be too “grizzled” to be a protagonist for the game’s quieter moments. Additionally, the model for the upcoming antagonist, Victor Yurichenko, was also leaked. Check out their models below.

The Story and Future Reveal

The game, which is set to launch on February 27, 2026, returns the franchise to Raccoon City, where Leon began his career as a rookie cop. The narrative has been described as an “overarching narrative” that ties together the franchise’s story begun 30 years prior. With the leak occurring just over 48 hours before The Game Awards, a full, official reveal of Leon, likely including gameplay footage, is now anticipated at the event. Despite Leon’s confirmation, one final secret remains: a GameStop listing referenced an unrevealed character named Rosemary Winters, who fans speculate will have a minor role.

Official website: https://www.residentevil.com/requiem/en-us/