Resident Evil fans divided over live-action Leon casting

Resident Evil fans are divided over the potential casting of Leon S. Kennedy in the latest live-action movie adaptation of the iconic survival horror series.

Earlier this month, it was officially confirmed that we’re getting another Resident Evil movie inspired by the Capcom series. I know, we’ve been burned in this department so many times and I understand why you’re rolling your eyes right now.

Check out the Resident Evil: Retribution trailer below!

From Paul W.S. Anderson movies, 2021’s Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City and that woeful live-action Netflix series that was cancelled after one season, fans of this survival horror series have had it rough, to say the least.

However, maybe, just maybe, the Resident Evil series might get the live-action adaptation it deserves with Barbarian director Zach Cregger at the helm of the latest attempt to get it right.

We don’t know for sure what story the latest Resident Evil movie will tell, but it might be safe to assume that it will be inspired by the first two games or might be a brand-new tale.

Rumours are making the rounds that the live-action version of Leon S. Kennedy has been decided, and that responsibility is said to belong to Austin Abrams, who has starred in the likes of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, This is Us and Euphoria, to name a few.

To be fair, I’ve seen worse live-action Leon S. Kennedy’s before. Yes, Resident Evil: Retribution and Welcome to Raccoon City, I’m looking at you.

By simply judging a book by its cover, I can kind of see Austin Abrams looking like the young, naive rooker cop Leon that we were first introduced to in Resident Evil 2. What’s more, Austin Abrams is a fantastic actor.

That being said, an article from The Hollywood Reporter has sparked conversation on Reddit and fans are divided over the potential casting choice of the beloved Leon.

“As Leon Kennedy? NO! He does not look like Leon at all,” exclaimed Substantial_Okra_648. “I can kind of see him as Leon before he gets buff,” replied unwocket.

“Who knows he might be a young Ethan Winters,” suggested a Reddit user.

“I had high hopes when Cregger's name was attached. But it appears the studio is already messing this up with awful casting,” said ChiliDogNightmare.

“Please be a good Resident Evil adaptation that would feed generations,” pleaded Big-Sheepherder-9492. “I have faith in this because it’s the same dude who made Barbarian, but if this dude is Leon, I can’t picture him drop-kicking Spanish villagers.”

At this time, it’s worth keeping in mind that Austin Abrams hasn't been officially announced to star in the latest Resident Evil reboot nor has the role that he might play.

The Resident Evil movie is set to release in theatres in November 2026, so hopefully all casting and plot details will be revealed in the coming months.