Leon S. Kennedy has been instrumental in the resurgence of the Resident Evil franchise through his prominent role in recent third-person remakes of earlier sequels. Despite being a fan-favorite character, Leon has not featured as a lead character in many games, making his appearances in the Resident Evil 2 and 4 remakes highly anticipated and appreciated. However, the upcoming installment, potentially a remake of Resident Evil 5, will shift the focus toward Chris Redfield as one of the playable protagonists. It indicates that future Resident Evil games may feature significant content centered around Chris, possibly overshadowing Leon’s role in the franchise.
The possibility of Capcom’s next project being a remake of Code: Veronica is highly anticipated by fans, although the official announcement is yet to be made. Meanwhile, the post-credits scene in the Resident Evil 4 remake provides strong hints that a Resident Evil 5 remake is also in the works. Following the franchise’s chronology, a Code: Veronica remake would need to come before the events of Resident Evil 4′s remake. If a Resident Evil 5 remake is in production, it could coincide with the release of the franchise’s ninth mainline game. Fans are eager to see how Chris Redfield has changed since his previous appearances, and the upcoming match may provide some insights into his character development.
As the Resident Evil remakes approach the timeline of RE4, fans speculate about the future of the franchise’s continuity. The remakes have provided a unique opportunity to explore character development that was not as evident in the original games, particularly the growth of Leon between Resident Evil 2 and 4. Fans are hopeful that a potential Code: Veronica remake will also offer the chance to delve into character development, this time featuring Claire Redfield from the Resident Evil 2 remake. It would be an exciting prospect for fans, allowing for a deeper exploration of the franchise’s characters and their journeys.
The absence of a modern third-person remake for the original Resident Evil game is a hurdle for those who have only followed the franchise through its remakes. In the first game, Chris Redfield undergoes significant character development and faces challenges not found in later installments. However, if Resident Evil 5 is remade, it would bypass Chris’s experiences in the Spencer Mansion and his loss of Jill Valentine during their infiltration of another Spencer estate. It would mean that fans who have only played the remakes would miss out on a vital part of Chris’s character development and the franchise’s overall story. Unfortunately, this significant element of the series may need to be noticed, emphasizing the importance of experiencing a franchise’s entire history to fully appreciate its characters and narrative.
As the Resident Evil remakes draw closer to the mainline continuity, fans eagerly anticipate the next installment. Speculation abounds that Resident Evil 9 will feature Chris and his team traveling to Europe’s BSAA headquarters, as suggested by Resident Evil Village’s post-credits scene. It implies that the franchise’s narrative will extend beyond Resident Evil 9, boding well for its future. With only two more chronological installments left to remake before reaching Resident Evil 7, fans are eager to see what other surprises Capcom has in store for them.
In upcoming Resident Evil titles, Chris Redfield is a prominent character. Although Resident Evil 9 might feature a different protagonist, current signs point to Chris being the main playable character once again. For Capcom, this could be a convenient opportunity to reuse character designs and assets across the Resident Evil 5 remake and Resident Evil 9, even if the two games are not connected regarding their storyline. For instance, NPC companions developed for the Resident Evil 5 remake could also be utilized in Resident Evil 9. Overall, Chris will continue to be an essential part of the Resident Evil universe, and fans eagerly anticipate what Capcom has in store for them.
It would add an extra layer of interest to Resident Evil 9 if either Sheva Alomar or Jill came back, providing a more personal perspective on the characters with updated models and a role in the franchise’s future. Capcom generally avoids killing off its established characters, so it’s always possible for them to resurface in the series. However, with the abundance of Chris Redfield content expected in the upcoming Resident Evil games, it might be overwhelming for fans to process.