Games Workshop has reignited excitement among Warhammer 40,000 fans by releasing a stunning teaser trailer for the long-awaited Astartes 2 animation. This follow-up to the iconic fan-made Astartes series, originally crafted by Syama Pedersen, has been hailed as one of the finest Warhammer 40,000 animations, rivaled only by Amazon's recent Space Marine 2 animation in the Secret Level anthology. The original Astartes series was so influential that it inspired Saber Interactive's successful Space Marine 2 game, leading Games Workshop to bring Syama on board for the sequel.
After years of silence that led some to believe Astartes 2 might have been canceled, Games Workshop surprised fans on January 29, 2025, with a teaser trailer that promises an animation of unprecedented scale and quality. The trailer showcases intense melee and shooting battles, vehicle combat, and even spaceship engagements, featuring various Space Marine chapters fighting across diverse landscapes against multiple enemy factions, including 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
However, there's a twist: none of the scenes from the teaser will appear in the final animation. According to a post on the Warhammer Community website, the trailer is a montage representing the past lives of the characters who will feature in the show. It ends with a subtle hint about the story's direction, encouraging fans to speculate and piece together what's coming. This revelation might disappoint some fans who expect the teaser's content to be part of Astartes 2, especially since the trailer lacks a disclaimer explaining this.
Despite the teaser not reflecting the final product, it's hard not to be thrilled as a fan. The final image suggests the characters might end up in an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad, sparking much speculation. Meanwhile, fans of Space Marine 2 are eyeing the Astartes 2 teaser with envy, hoping elements like the capes might find their way into the game. With Saber Interactive continuing to update Space Marine 2, perhaps it's time for them to draw further inspiration from Astartes.
Astartes 2 is set to launch exclusively on Games Workshop's Warhammer+ streaming service in 2026. While the teaser may not represent the animation itself, it certainly sets the stage for what could be a landmark addition to the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
