“It all started with him,” actor Nick Apostolides said of the late Paul Haddad when I spoke to him about his return as Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem. In an emotionally charged turning point that none of us thought would happen during our conversation, Apostolides paid tribute to the original talent behind one of the most celebrated characters in Resident Evil history. With warmth and sincerity in his voice, he expressed deep appreciation for Haddad, who ultimately set the stage for Apostolides since assuming the role of Leon Kennedy in 2019 Resident Evil 2 remake.
During a recent interview with GameRant, Nick Apostolides reflected on returning to the role for Resident Evil Requiembut the conversation quickly turned to something much more personal. What began as a discussion about Leon's evolution and the importance of returning to Raccoon City became a heartfelt acknowledgment of the man who first brought the character to life nearly three decades ago.
Resident Evil Requiem's Nick Apostolides remembers Paul Haddad in Touching Tribute
For Apostolides, a fan of Resident Evil for 28 years, playing a character originally brought to life by someone else has never been something to brush off. Not only did he land what he would probably consider a dream job — as he confirmed early in the interview that he's “still trying to finish [his] brains around it” — but he also clearly understands that the opportunity to portray one of the most beloved protagonists in gaming isn't a foregone conclusion. Ultimately, though, that sentiment isn't as much about Leon Kennedy's reputation as it is about the legacy of Paul Haddad, who originally voiced Leon in 1998 but sadly passed away in April 2020.
Given how far the character of Leon Kennedy has come since his debut, and the fact that Apostolides has now played the character in three different Resident Evil game, I was curious what the actor would say to Haddad today, given the opportunity. When asked the question, Apostolides became emotional while honoring Haddad with a beautiful tribute:
“I got to be friends with Paul Haddad before he passed away, I think, in 2020, and he was such a sweet guy. I think he's looking down, and I'd just say to him, 'Thank you. Thanks for breathing life into this old character.” It all started with him. And I think he'd be pretty happy to see that Leon is still going strong, all because of what he did with Capcom 28 years ago.”
For a series that has now lasted almost 30 years, beloved Resident Evil characters like Leon Kennedy have become much more than digital avatars. They carry history, memory and the voices that first breathed life into them. Judging by his heartfelt response, Apostolides understands that the shoes he stepped into in 2019 are valuable not because of what they're made of, but because of whose feet once sat in them. So such a role is not about delivering lines or performing stunts in a motion capture suit. Rather, it's about honoring who came before while ensuring the character continues to have the same impact he once had all those years ago.
That sense of stewardship is something Apostolides seems to take very seriously. Even when he spoke of the excitement over Leon Kennedy's return Resident Evil Requiemit was clear that Haddad's legacy remained at the forefront of his mind. The actor added:
“If Paul was still with us, I just hope he knows how much of a legacy he's started with Leon. His portrayal of the very first Leon Kennedy in 1998 has sparked 30 years of fandom with this character, and I just hope he knows how loved he is by the fan community. When I first booked the role, he reached out to me to congratulate me – it was a really friendly moment. sincere, and then we developed a friendship after that which just says a lot about who Leon is and always has been, started by the great Paul Haddad.
It's truly rare to see a character's parentage acknowledged so openly, especially in a franchise as long-running as Resident Evil. Yet, in that exchange, Apostolides made it clear that his intentions were not to replace Haddad in his continued development of Leon Kennedy but to build on the foundation that was already there. Nearly three decades after Leon first stepped into the Raccoon City Police Department, the character's foundation remains intact, originally laid by the iconic voice that introduced him to the world.
As Resident Evil Requiem allows players to revisit the places that made Leon the man he is today, Apostolides' words serve as a reminder that Resident Evils history isn't just about its stories and settings. It lives in the performances, relationships and shared respect between artists who have brought these characters forward. In honor of the late Paul Haddad, Apostolides highlighted something fans have long understood, even if they didn't know how to put it into words. Leon Kennedy's legacy may belong to more than one era, but it began with the man who first gave him life.
- Released
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February 27, 2026
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language, In-Game Purchase
