Actor Relives Childhood Dream as Leon

Nick Apostolides is reprising his role as Leon S. Kennedy in the newly released Resident Evil Requiem, fulfilling a long-held childhood aspiration. His journey into voicing Leon began with a shared tradition of playing Resident Evil games with his brother, a passion ignited by the 2005 Resident Evil 4.

For Resident Evil Requiem, Apostolides embraced an uncharted narrative for Leon, moving beyond the remakes of past entries. He describes the experience as relying heavily on Capcom's direction and his own instincts for the veteran character.

The game is set approximately 30 years after Raccoon City's destruction, offering dual perspectives. One follows FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft investigating a murder, while veteran agent Leon S. Kennedy joins the inquiry at a Midwest hotel.

Returning to the iconic Raccoon City significantly impacted Apostolides, highlighting Leon's enduring PTSD. He notes the character's return to this location as a powerful, albeit unpunctuated, 'blast from his past.'

Apostolides developed a unique process for embodying this iteration of Leon, creating a mood board with terms like 'reaper' and 'violent ember.' He envisioned Leon as an 'injured lion,' embodying a 'brutal out of necessity' approach due to heightened stakes.

This portrayal allows for a more world-weary Leon than previously seen. He is older and faces an internal threat, hinted at by a looming 'ticking clock.' Apostolides also contributes to Leon's physicality through motion capture, aiming to maintain his cool and capable icon status.

Apostolides' personal connection to the character is profound, having influenced his own acting career. He notes how Capcom has allowed him to inject more of his personality and mannerisms into Leon over the years, shaping the character into the multifaceted figure he is today.