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, has resurfaced with a stunning teaser trailer, captivating fans. However, a crucial detail has emerged: the trailer showcases scenes not included in the final animation.

Astartes 2 follows the success of the fan-made original, created by Syama Pedersen, widely considered the best Warhammer 40,000 animation. Its impact even inspired Saber Interactive's Space Marine 2. Games Workshop subsequently hired Pedersen to work on the sequel.

After a prolonged silence, the January 29th teaser trailer release surprised fans. It depicts breathtaking visuals, showcasing melee combat, ranged firefights, vehicle warfare, and even 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

The Warhammer Community website clarified that the trailer is a compilation of shots representing the characters' backstories, not actual footage from Astartes 2. A subtle hint suggests the final story's nature.

"This teaser trailer is not actually clips from the new animation, instead showing a compilation of shots that represent the former lives of the characters that will appear in the show. There’s a pretty unsubtle hint at the end as to the nature of the final story...We’ll leave you to speculate and start putting the pieces together yourselves.”

While visually impressive, the trailer's misleading nature is a concern. The lack of a disclaimer might lead viewers to expect the depicted scenes in the final product.

The trailer's ending hints at the characters joining an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad. This has already sparked speculation and excitement among fans, and even generated envy from Space Marine 2 players, who hope some elements, particularly the capes, might be incorporated into the game. Given Saber Interactive's ongoing updates, this remains a possibility. Astartes may once again inspire the game's development. Astartes 2 is slated for a 2026 release exclusively on the Warhammer+ streaming service.