Capcom's iconic survival horror franchise, "Resident Evil," has amassed a massive roster of beloved characters over the years. Recently, the future of Leon S. Kennedy has once again become a hot topic among players. With the release of "Resident Evil Requiem," some fans have started wondering if the character might fade from the series as he ages.
Addressing these concerns, "Resident Evil Requiem" Game Director Koji Nakanishi told Eurogamer that Capcom doesn't believe characters need to be replaced by younger faces just because the timeline advances. He emphasized that when planning new titles, the team has no strict rule dictating that all characters must age precisely with real-world time, nor would they simply abandon the series' most iconic faces due to age alone.
Nakanishi stated he really liked how the older version of Leon was portrayed this time around, finding his current state still quite appealing. He went on to suggest that even if the timeline pushes further into the future, with Leon reaching 70, the character could still possess enough charisma to remain a fantastic addition to the series. 
In fact, discussions about Leon's age have been ongoing since "Resident Evil Requiem" was first revealed. While characters like Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Ada Wong have largely taken a backseat, Leon's return in this title with a more weathered appearance sparked fan curiosity about whether he could still handle future missions.
Capcom's statement clearly indicates that the company isn't ruling out future appearances for Leon. For the series, the appeal of veteran characters isn't just their combat prowess; it also lies in the narrative weight they've accumulated over the years. At least for now, it seems age won't be the deciding factor in Leon's departure from the "Resident Evil" universe.
via： Eurogamer