Long-Awaited Warhammer 40,000 Animation Astartes 2 Is Back From the Dead With Incredible Teaser Trailer — but There’s a Catch

Games Workshop's highly anticipated Warhammer 40,000 animation, Astartes 2, resurfaces with a stunning teaser trailer, captivating fans. However, a crucial detail emerges: the trailer showcases scenes not featured in the final animation.

Astartes 2, a sequel to the acclaimed fan-made original by Syama Pedersen, is considered a landmark achievement in Warhammer 40,000 animation. Its impact is undeniable, even inspiring Saber Interactive's successful Space Marine 2. Games Workshop subsequently hired Pedersen to helm the sequel.

Years of silence surrounding Astartes 2 fueled cancellation rumors. The January 29th teaser trailer release, however, dispelled these concerns. The trailer is a visual spectacle, showcasing breathtaking melee combat, ranged firefights, vehicle warfare, and even space battles, featuring various Space Marine chapters and enemy factions (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

Despite the hype, Games Workshop's Warhammer Community website clarifies that the teaser is a compilation of shots representing the characters' backstories, not actual footage from Astartes 2. The final scene subtly hints at the overarching narrative.

This lack of transparency, without a clear disclaimer on the trailer itself, could potentially mislead viewers. Many may assume the depicted scenes will appear in the final product, especially those unaware of the Warhammer Community post.

The teaser's imagery suggests the characters' eventual convergence within an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad. Speculation among fans is rife, with many already envisioning elements from the teaser being incorporated into Space Marine 2, particularly the striking capes. Given Saber Interactive's ongoing updates to the game, this crossover remains a possibility. The Astartes 2 teaser, while exciting, ultimately leaves fans eagerly awaiting the actual animation's release in 2026, exclusively on the Warhammer+ streaming service.