Two decades ago, a 21-year-old Nick Apostolides introduced his 9-year-old brother to what he called a "big boy game"—Resident Evil 4. Little did they know that this sibling ritual would forge a path straight to Capcom's studios, where Apostolides now breathes life into Leon S. Kennedy himself. In an exclusive with TheEntBase, the actor reveals how a childhood dream, nurtured through years of shared gaming sessions, catapulted him into the role of one of gaming's most beloved heroes.
"We used to fantasize about being part of these games," Apostolides recalls, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Fast forward, and I'm living it. It's mind-blowing!" That fantasy became reality when he first stepped into Leon's shoes for the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 4, and now, he's breaking new ground in Resident Evil Requiem—the first original Leon story he's ever portrayed.
Leon S. Kennedy returns in 'Resident Evil Requiem', voiced by the actor who once dreamed of being him. Capcom
The pressure is real. After following in the footsteps of legends like Paul Haddad and Paul Mercier, Requiem marks Apostolides' chance to define Leon on his own terms. "It was all new ground," he admits, sipping coffee on his L.A. couch. "I had to trust Capcom and my gut. And yeah, I'm nervous—who wouldn't be?"
Set 30 years after Raccoon City's fall, Requiem weaves a dual narrative. FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft (Angela Sant’Albano) probes a chilling cold case, while Leon is drawn back to the ruins that haunt his past. "Returning to Raccoon City? It's a blast from his past, literally," Apostolides says. "The weight of it fuels his PTSD—it's raw, it's personal."
Nick Apostolides, the man behind Leon, in a 2025 Pixel Pack shoot. Rich Soublet
Apostolides learned about Requiem in November 2023, and the announcement sent shockwaves through the Resident Evil community. But for him, it's more than a job—it's a full-circle moment. He and his brother still play every new release together, a tradition that began with that fateful "big boy game." "That sparked his lifelong passion," Apostolides says of his sibling. Now, at 41, he's flying to Boston to keep the ritual alive, blurring the lines between fan and star.
In a world where few actors land roles in their favorite franchises, Apostolides' journey is a testament to the power of dreams—and sibling bonds. As Requiem hits consoles, he's not just voicing Leon; he's living a childhood fantasy, one shared controller at a time.
