Resident Evil 9 is the upcoming installment in the popular Resident Evil survival horror video game franchise. As of right now, not much is known about the game beyond some early rumors and speculation. One of the biggest questions surrounding Resident Evil 9 is who will be the main playable protagonist. The Resident Evil series has featured a variety of different protagonists over the years, so it’s difficult to say for certain who will take the lead role in RE9. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the likely candidates and analyze who has the best chance of being the protagonist in Resident Evil 9.
Quick Answers
The most likely protagonist candidates for Resident Evil 9 are:
- Jill Valentine
- Chris Redfield
- Claire Redfield
- Leon Kennedy
- New character
Jill and Chris are veteran characters with strong ties to the Umbrella Corporation storyline. Claire is Chris’ sister and a fan favorite protagonist. Leon debuted in Resident Evil 2 and has been in several games since. There’s also a chance Capcom could introduce someone completely new.
Jill Valentine
Jill Valentine is one of the most iconic characters and protagonists in the Resident Evil franchise. She was one of the two playable protagonists (along with Chris Redfield) in the original Resident Evil game released in 1996. Jill has gone on to appear in several other mainline Resident Evil titles over the years, including Resident Evils 3, 5, Revelations, and Revelations 2.
As one of the classic S.T.A.R.S. members and an original hero in the fight against the Umbrella Corporation and bioweapons, Jill stands out as a strong contender to be the protagonist again in Resident Evil 9. Many fans feel like Jill is long overdue for another starring role, as her most recent was Resident Evil Revelations in 2012. RE9 could be the perfect opportunity to bring Jill back into the fold and have her headline the next numbered chapter in the series.
Jill’s specific story connections also make her a compelling choice. At the end of Resident Evil 5, Jill sacrifices herself to take down Albert Wesker once and for all. Though Jill ultimately survives, we haven’t seen her character in action since those events. RE9 could pick up with Jill after RE5 and show us where she’s been and what she’s been going through. There are lots of interesting story directions Capcom could take a Jill-led RE9.
Overall, if Capcom wants to go back to the roots of Resident Evil with a classic protagonist, Jill Valentine emerges as a very likely candidate to be the star of Resident Evil 9.
Key Points on Jill Valentine
- One of the two original protagonists in the first Resident Evil game
- Lead character in multiple mainline RE games over the years
- S.T.A.R.S. member with strong ties to Umbrella Corporation story
- Sacrificed herself to defeat Wesker at the end of RE5
- Hasn’t been a protagonist since 2012’s RE Revelations
Chris Redfield
Along with Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield is one of the other protagonists from that original Resident Evil game back in 1996. Also a member of S.T.A.R.S., Chris has been one of the main heroes of the Resident Evil franchise for over 20 years. He is central to the overarching plot against Umbrella and has headed up numerous Resident Evil games, including RE Code: Veronica, RE5, RE6, and RE7.
Chris has also been closely tied to the series’ lore involving bioterrorism and viruses like the T-Virus. His blood relationship with Albert Wesker adds more intrigue to his backstory as well. Similar to Jill, Chris’ integral role in the RE mythos makes him a strong contender for the lead in RE9. And after taking more of a supporting part in Resident Evil 7, Chris could be thrust back into the protagonist spotlight again.
There are also potential story avenues left to explore with Chris after RE7 and RE8 Village. His time spent fighting bio-weapons with the B.S.A.A. organization is still shrouded in some mystery. And the cliffhanger ending with Rose in RE8 hints that there might be more to tell about the Redfield bloodline. So the narrative seeds are planted for Chris to take the reins again as the protagonist.
Like Jill, Chris Redfield stands out as one of the most likely choices if Capcom wants a familiar face to lead Resident Evil 9. He’s a Resident Evil icon perfect for longtime fans of the franchise.
Key Points on Chris Redfield
- Other original RE protagonist alongside Jill Valentine
- Central character in the Umbrella Corporation storyline
- Lead protagonist in multiple mainline RE games
- Took smaller role in RE7, could return as protagonist for RE9
- Ongoing mysterious plot threads with the B.S.A.A. and Redfield bloodline
Claire Redfield
As the younger sister of Chris Redfield, Claire has played an important role across several Resident Evil games herself. She debuted as the protagonist in Resident Evil 2, finding herself stuck in Raccoon City amidst the T-Virus outbreak. Claire went on to be playable again as the lead in Resident Evil Code: Veronica.
Though not as prominent recently, Claire remains a fan favorite character in the RE universe. Her ties to Chris and penchant for getting wrapped up in viral outbreaks make her a credible candidate to helm Resident Evil 9. And Claire has been absent from the numbered mainline games for a very long time now. RE9 could provide the perfect opportunity for her to finally return to the core series as the protagonist.
Claire’s role as an activist and founder of TerraSave, an organization opposing bio-weapons and viral engineering, also gives her an interesting background angle to explore in RE9. We could see Claire reluctantly pulled back into the horrors of bioterrorism while trying to preserve her activism work with TerraSave. There is unfulfilled story potential there.
While Jill and Chris may be more likely choices, a Claire-led RE9 narrative would undoubtedly excite and surprise many Resident Evil fans. Don’t count Claire out when speculating who could take charge in Resident Evil 9.
Key Points on Claire Redfield
- Chris Redfield’s younger sister
- Original protagonist debut in Resident Evil 2
- Lead role also in Code Veronica
- Longtime fan favorite character
- Potentially intriguing story background with TerraSave activism
Leon Kennedy
The last of the big-name classic Resident Evil protagonists we could see in RE9 is Leon Kennedy. Along with Claire, Leon debuted as one of the two playable protagonists in Resident Evil 2. Since then, he’s been featured as the protagonist or in major supporting roles in several other Resident Evil games such as RE4, RE6, and the CGI films.
Leon has a widespread fanbase and is known for his zombie-killing prowess. His skill as a special agent and experience with bioterrorism make him a perfect fit to be at the center of Resident Evil 9’s story. Leon also hasn’t been the protagonist in a mainline numbered RE game since Resident Evil 6 in 2012, so he’s due for a return to prominence.
There are some interesting ways Leon’s backstory in RE lore could tie into RE9’s narrative as well. We could see an experienced Leon recruited back into the fight reluctantly, or investigating mysterious connections to his old nemesis Ada Wong. Having Leon helm RE9 seems like an easy way to please Resident Evil fans new and old.
Out of all the classic characters, Leon arguably has the strongest case to take the reins for Resident Evil 9 from a story perspective. Don’t be shocked if the veteran zombie slayer steps up as the next protagonist.
Key Points on Leon Kennedy
- One of the original RE2 protagonists alongside Claire
- Featured as protagonist or lead in multiple mainline RE games
- Skilled special agent proficient at killing zombies/BOWs
- No mainline numbered protagonist role since 2012’s RE6
- Strong backstory connections to characters like Ada Wong
A New Protagonist?
While Jill, Chris, Claire, and Leon make up the most likely candidates, there is always the possibility that Capcom introduces someone completely new as Resident Evil 9’s protagonist. Resident Evil has brought in new playable leads before, like Ethan Winters in RE7 and RE Village. A new character protagonist could allow Capcom to take the story in surprising new directions unbound by prior lore.
However, this scenario does seem less probable. Using a familiar face like the ones mentioned above is a safer bet, especially for a flagship numbered title like RE9 clearly aimed at core fans. But we can’t fully rule out Capcom rolling the dice with a new protagonist to change up the formula.
Key Points on a New Protagonist
- Resident Evil has introduced brand new playable characters before
- Would enable taking the story in very new, unexpected directions
- Less likely than returning veteran for a major numbered RE title
- But Capcom could use a fresh face to change things up
Analysis and Prediction
Based on weighing all the options, the most likely protagonist for Resident Evil 9 is **Jill Valentine**.
Jill stands out as the safest choice to please longtime Resident Evil fans. She’s an iconic original heroine who is long overdue for another starring role. Jill’s connections to Albert Wesker and Umbrella provide strong story angles to build upon. Having Jill return to headline RE9 just makes sense.
Chris Redfield also has a very strong case thanks to his importance in the franchise lore. And fan favorite Leon Kennedy can’t be counted out either. But our prediction is Jill takes point and spearheads the next chapter in the core saga. Whatever Capcom decides, Resident Evil 9’s protagonist choice will excite fans and influence the narrative moving forward.
Prediction Summary
- Jill Valentine is our predicted protagonist for RE9
- She’s an iconic original character perfect for longtime fans
- Her ties to Wesker and Umbrella allow for intriguing story continuation
- Chris and Leon also strong contenders, but Jill feels like the safest bet
Previous Mainline Resident Evil Protagonists
| Game | Protagonist(s) |
|---|---|
| Resident Evil (1996) | Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield |
| Resident Evil 2 (1998) | Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield |
| Resident Evil 3 (1999) | Jill Valentine |
| Resident Evil Code Veronica (2000) | Claire Redfield, Chris Redfield |
| Resident Evil 4 (2005) | Leon Kennedy |
| Resident Evil 5 (2009) | Chris Redfield |
| Resident Evil 6 (2012) | Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield |
| Resident Evil 7 (2017) | Ethan Winters |
| Resident Evil Village (2021) | Ethan Winters |
Conclusion
That covers the primary possibilities for who could take the lead role in the upcoming Resident Evil 9. Jill Valentine seems to have the inside track based on her protagonist history and integral connections to the overarching bio-weapon storylines. But only time will tell who Capcom ultimately decides on to spearhead the next major chapter in this legendary survival horror franchise. One thing is for sure – RE fans will be eagerly anticipating the reveal of Resident Evil 9’s protagonist.
