Leon Kennedy as Resident Evil 9’s Protagonist: Disappointment in the Making?

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Currently, all talk about Resident Evil 9 is just speculation until Capcom officially confirms something. At present, what’s certain is that the game is in production. There’s been a lot of excitement surrounding Resident Evil 9 as it’s been a while since we last saw a new installment, with Village coming out in 2021. Even though four years isn’t too long between games these days, the rumors and leaks about RE9 can make the wait feel quite challenging.

Speculations, whispers, and any references regarding Resident Evil 9 should be treated cautiously, but if the speculated facts hold up, it’s possible that Leon S. Kennedy could reprise his role as the game’s lead character. Over the years, Leon has grown to be a beloved figure among fans, and for valid reasons. He’s an engaging personality, and playing him in Resident Evil 4 undeniably boosted his status within the franchise. If we get another chance to don Leon’s shoes again, it could be thrilling, but there’s also a risk that his potential return as the main character might fall flat for some fans.

Despite His Popularity, Leon May Be Too Obvious of a Choice to Lead RE9

Admittedly, the Resident Evil series is known for its robust protagonists who sometimes fall into familiar patterns. Characters like Leon, Jill, and Claire haven’t been seen in quite some time, except during remakes of RE2, RE3, and RE4. Their return promises an exhilarating experience. However, the games RE7 and Village took a significant leap by introducing new main characters instead of relying on legacy characters. In fact, for most of RE7, no legacy character was present until Chris Redfield appeared at the end. This was a daring move, but it ultimately proved successful.

RE7 director Koshi Nakanishi is returning for RE9.

Another Fresh Face Could Be Exciting for RE9

  • RE7 and Village‘s protagonist, Ethan, shook up the franchise’s formula.

Ethan Winter, a character who sparks debate, was an innovative choice for Capcom since he was completely unfamiliar to fans. Post the occurrences in “Resident Evil Village”, the Winters family’s narrative seems somewhat incomplete, and it remains uncertain whether Capcom will tie up these loose ends. There’s potential for further exploration with Ethan’s daughter, Rose, but if the Winters family is not revisited, creating a new protagonist from that era of the series could be intriguing.

The rumors and leaks surrounding RE9 can make the wait a real challenge.

Absolutely, it’s not necessary to remove Leon entirely from the story. Instead, we could have a rotating cast of characters or use established heroes as cameos or secondary roles, which could add an interesting twist based on the plot. Alternatively, giving less prominent characters like Rebecca Chambers or Sheva Alomar from the Resident Evil series more screen time could create unexpected excitement.

It’s been speculated that characters like Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and Barry Burton might reappear in the upcoming Resident Evil game.

RE9 Remains One of the Industry’s Biggest Mysteries at the Moment

Currently, we haven’t received any official word about Resident Evil 9 yet. With this year already bustling with big announcements and reveals, adding an announcement for RE9 would certainly create quite a splash. However, since Capcom typically shares major updates only when the game is almost ready, we can expect to hear something substantial only at a later stage.

A return by Leon might seem somewhat expected, yet it’s sure to be thrilling watching him again in the spotlight. Capcom has numerous intriguing possibilities for the protagonist of RE9, and we’re eagerly awaiting the revelation of who will get that role.

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2025-04-05 17:08