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 footage not included in the actual animation.
Astartes 2, a sequel to the acclaimed fan-made Astartes animation by Syama Pedersen, is considered a landmark achievement in Warhammer 40,000 animation. Its success even influenced Saber Interactive's Space Marine 2. Games Workshop subsequently hired Pedersen to develop the sequel.
Years of silence surrounding Astartes 2 fueled speculation of cancellation. The January 29th, 2025 teaser trailer announcement, however, surprised fans. The trailer boasts impressive visuals, showcasing melee combat, ranged combat, vehicle warfare, and space battles featuring various Space Marine chapters, 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' pasts, not actual scenes from Astartes 2. The final image hints at the characters' ultimate fate within an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad.
The lack of a disclaimer on the trailer is a potential issue, as viewers might reasonably expect the depicted scenes to appear in the final product. The Warhammer Community post clarifying this is unlikely to reach all viewers.
The teaser's impressive visuals have already sparked interest from Space Marine 2 fans, who hope some elements, particularly the capes, might be incorporated into the game. Given Saber Interactive's ongoing updates to Space Marine 2, this remains a possibility. The Astartes 2 teaser serves as a powerful reminder of the franchise's visual potential, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the animation's 2026 release on the Warhammer+ streaming service.
