Many Resident Evil fans have often wondered where the franchise will go after the rather bold experiments of Biohazard (7) and Village (8)– along with intermittent remakes. Well, now a rumored leak has been dropped in the usual spot on the internet, and it suggests that Resident Evil Requiem could be going full Metal Gear: Guns of the Patriots with an older and more weathered version of one of the franchise’s most iconic characters, Leon Kennedy.
That very well means the game could further explore the future of the mainline games’ continuity, which is something that was sorely needed after several remakes. This rumored leak was apparently dropped on 4chan and uploaded somewhere else for preservation. The leak, which has the word “confidential” in it, along with some Japanese text, also shows three images. Two of the images are enemies, and one is a screenshot of Leon Kennedy wearing an eyepatch on his right eye and a beard.
Meanwhile, the text, when translated, more or less says the following and doesn’t really reveal much apart from the tech:
“Our team is dedicated to developing realistic game characters and biological models, focusing on delivering a top-tier survival horror gaming experience. Relying on Capcom’s cutting-edge technology and the strong appeal of the Resident Evil franchise, we meticulously build immersive worlds. From terrifying creatures to vividly lifelike human characters, our models bring the horror and tension of Resident Evil to life.
The precision and detail in our modeling and rendering have received recognition across the industry. Every scar, every wrinkle, and every lifelike expression are carefully designed. Whether in tense horror atmospheres, thrilling combat encounters, or chilling exploration, Resident Evil’s biological modeling ensures players experience an immersive and terrifying reality. The group is committed to pushing realism and immersion in gaming, paving the way for a new chapter in the Resident Evil series.
The team’s modeling performance is exceptional, with remarkable detail and lifelike results. Their skill in capturing the essence and horror style of Resident Evil makes them a top production partner or ideal collaborator for future works.
With photorealistic biological models and high-end rendering technology, we’ve brought Resident Evil’s horror atmosphere to life. Every model – whether terrifying creatures or R.P.D. officers – has been meticulously crafted, fully demonstrating our technical strength,” translation courtesy of Reddit user Birkin92
Sadly, there have been strong confirmations in the past that Leon wouldn’t be the main character. Instead, the main character label for Requiem points to Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent who went back to the nuked Raccoon City ruins to unearth some mysterious deaths. Of course, Leon being in the game is just an unconfirmed leak. At the moment, it’s just a rumor and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Fans are excited for the rumored older Leon
It’s not clear how old Leon Kennedy would be in the leaked image, but seeing as Requiem takes place 30 years after the 1998 Raccoon City viral outbreak, that would put him at around 51 years old. Leon Kennedy was notably a 21-year-old rookie during the 1998 outbreak in Resident Evil 2. The oldest we’ve seen Leon Kennedy was at 36 years old back in Resident Evil 6.
Regardless, many fans are actually excited about the change (especially with how Leon’s intro to the franchise defined him as a rookie). Reddit users have weighed in on the matter and voiced out their own enthusiasm for this rumored leak, “Big Boss lookin a**” says a Reddit commenter, with another one joking, “Metal gear kennedy.”
Others were more skeptical, saying the “leak” might have been intentional to drive marketing and hype for the game, especially with a change this big for one of the characters. Resident Evil Requiem, or the 9th game in the continuity, is slated for a February 27, 2026, release date on the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S
