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| Image from the game Resident Evil Requiem showing Grace Ashcroft. |
The countdown is on for Resident Evil Requiem, the survival horror epic slated to hit shelves on February 27, 2026. While Capcom's trailers have showcased the haunting, rain-slicked streets of a revived Raccoon City and the tense gameplay awaiting fans, one burning question has dominated community discussions: Will the legendary Leon S. Kennedy finally make his grand return?
For months, speculation has run rampant. The iconic setting seemed like the perfect backdrop for the fan-favorite agent's comeback. However, a fresh leak from a major retailer suggests players hoping to step into Leon's shoes once more might need to temper their expectations—and get acquainted with a different, more recent face from the series' lore.
A New Protagonist Takes Center Stage
Officially, Capcom has confirmed that in Resident Evil Requiem, players will primarily embody Grace Ashcroft, a determined FBI agent investigating a series of bizarre disappearances linked to a decadent, yet deeply sinister, hotel. The decision to root the story back in the infamously doomed Raccoon City immediately sparked theories of a dual-protagonist structure, a hallmark of classic Resident Evil titles. This setting naturally led many to believe that Leon, whose story began in that very city, would be the logical second character.
The GameStop Leak: Rosemary Winters Emerges from the Shadows
Those hopes have now been significantly redirected, thanks to an inadvertent—and swiftly removed—listing by retail giant GameStop. As spotted by the vigilant Reddit user Hot-Challenge-2755, the now-deleted listing for the Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Edition explicitly named the second playable character.
According to the leak, it won't be Leon Kennedy joining Agent Ashcroft, but Rosemary Winters.
The user shared their discovery in a now-vital post on the Gaming Leaks and Rumours subreddit, which you can see below. The post details how the listing included specific cosmetic items for Rosemary, such as the "Morphic Visor" cosmetic filter and the "Shadow Walker" costume pack, essentially confirming her inclusion beyond a mere cameo.
View the original Reddit post detailing the GameStop leak here.
This revelation is a major shift. Rosemary, first introduced as the gifted child in Resident Evil Village and later a powerful protagonist in her own right in the Shadow of Rose DLC, represents the series' newer generation. Her rumored involvement suggests Requiem could be weaving a narrative that bridges the legacy of the old outbreaks with the evolving supernatural threats of the recent titles.
More Than a Character: The "Sanctuary" Expansion Pass
The leaked Deluxe Edition listing didn't stop at character details. It also mentioned "The Sanctuary" expansion pass, purported to include two brand-new story scenarios and a substantial update to the ever-popular Mercenaries mode. This indicates Capcom's plan for substantial post-launch support, extending the game's lifespan well beyond the initial campaign.
A Word of Caution Amid the Excitement
While this leak comes from a credible retail source and includes specific, tangible details like cosmetic pack names, it's crucial to remember that until Capcom makes an official announcement, this information remains in the realm of rumor. GameStop's swift removal of the listing adds weight to its authenticity, but the gaming community has been surprised by last-minute changes before.
For now, the message to the Resident Evil faithful is clear: Prepare to investigate the horrors of Raccoon City with Grace Ashcroft and, in all likelihood, Rosemary Winters. The dream of Leon S. Kennedy's return in Resident Evil Requiem appears to be on hold, but in a series known for its twists and deep lore, his shadow—and the shadows of many other icons—will undoubtedly loom large over the terrifying events of February 2026.
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