Games Workshop has resurrected the long-awaited Warhammer 40,000 animation, Astartes 2, with a stunning teaser trailer that has captivated fans. However, there's a twist: the trailer showcases scenes that won't actually appear in the final animation.
Astartes 2 is the sequel to the acclaimed fan-made Astartes animation by Syama Pedersen, widely considered the best Warhammer 40,000 animation ever created, rivaled only perhaps by Amazon's Space Marine 2 animation. The original Astartes' success even inspired Saber Interactive's highly successful Space Marine 2 game, leading Games Workshop to bring Pedersen onboard for the sequel.
After years of silence, the surprise January 29th teaser trailer release ignited excitement. The trailer boasts unprecedented scale and quality, showcasing melee combat, ranged firefights, vehicle battles, and even spaceship engagements. Various Space Marine chapters clash across diverse environments against Tyranids, Orks, and Tau.
It's not even February yet and the Ws for 2025 won't stop coming! Astartes is back, Brothers! pic.twitter.com/sYhu5LjwiC
— Champions of the Ice (@ChampionsOTIce2) January 29, 2025
While the teaser expertly builds anticipation, Games Workshop clarified on the Warhammer Community website that it's not actual footage from Astartes 2. Instead, it depicts scenes representing the past lives of characters who will appear in the show. A subtle hint at the end suggests the overall narrative.
This lack of a clear disclaimer on the trailer itself might lead to confusion. Fans viewing the trailer might reasonably assume the depicted scenes will feature in Astartes 2, especially those who don't see the Warhammer Community post.
Despite this, the teaser's impact is undeniable. Speculation runs rampant, with many believing the final image hints at the characters joining an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad.
Meanwhile, Space Marine 2 fans are already expressing envy, hoping some elements from the Astartes 2 teaser might find their way into the game, particularly the capes. With Saber Interactive continuing to update the game, further inspiration from Astartes seems plausible. Astartes 2 will launch exclusively on Games Workshop's Warhammer+ streaming service in 2026.
