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 included in the actual animation.
Astartes 2, a sequel to the acclaimed fan-made original by Syama Pedersen, has been shrouded in mystery. Its production, overseen by Games Workshop after bringing Pedersen in-house, had been largely silent until this recent reveal. The teaser, released January 29th, 2025, is a visual spectacle, promising an unprecedented scale and quality for Warhammer 40,000 animation. It depicts intense melee and ranged combat, vehicle warfare, and even space battles, featuring various Space Marine chapters battling diverse enemies like 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
The excitement generated by the trailer is tempered by a revelation on the Warhammer Community website: the footage is not from the animation itself. Instead, it's a montage representing the characters' backstories. The final shot hints at the overall narrative, leaving fans to speculate. The lack of a disclaimer on the trailer itself is a potential concern, as viewers may mistakenly assume the depicted scenes will appear in the final product.
Despite this, the teaser fuels anticipation. Speculation points towards the characters ultimately forming an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad. The impressive visuals have already sparked interest from Space Marine 2 fans, who are hoping to see some elements, such as capes, incorporated into the game. Given Saber Interactive's ongoing updates to Space Marine 2, this isn't entirely unrealistic. Astartes has clearly served as inspiration before, and could again. Astartes 2 is slated for release in 2026 exclusively on Games Workshop's Warhammer+ streaming service.
