Resident Evil 2 director Hideki Kamiya has confirmed that Leon S. Kennedy was named after the 1994 movie Leon: The Professional.
Kamiya revealed the inspiration for one of the most recognizable horror protagonists of all time with a simple post on X/Twitter.
He recalled naming Leon when consulting with Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, saying 'Well, why don't we just take it from that movie I watched the other day?'
Kamiya directed Resident Evil 2 before going on to carve out a stylish new direction for action gaming with the original Devil May Cry.