Games Workshop has thrilled Warhammer 40,000 fans by reviving the much-anticipated Astartes 2 animation with a stunning teaser trailer. However, there's a twist: none of the content shown in the teaser will actually appear in the final animation.
Astartes 2 is the sequel to the fan-made Astartes animation, originally crafted by Syama Pedersen. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of Warhammer 40,000 animations, it outshines even official works, with only Amazon's recent Space Marine 2 animation from the Secret Level anthology series coming close. The original Astartes was so impactful that it inspired Saber Interactive's successful Space Marine 2 game, leading Games Workshop to bring Syama on board to work on the sequel.
After years of silence, leaving fans to speculate if Astartes 2 had been quietly shelved, Games Workshop surprised everyone on January 29, 2025, with the release of the teaser trailer. This trailer has been a visual treat for Warhammer 40,000 enthusiasts, showcasing an unprecedented scale of animation with scenes of melee combat, shooting, vehicle battles, and even spaceship engagements. It features various Space Marine chapters fighting across diverse environments against multiple enemy races, 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
While the teaser builds excitement for Astartes 2, it's important to note that none of its content will be included in the animation set to launch in 2026 exclusively on Games Workshop's Warhammer+ streaming service. According to a post on the Warhammer Community website, the teaser is a compilation of scenes representing the past lives of characters who will appear in the show. The post hints at the story's nature, encouraging fans to piece together the clues themselves.
The absence of a disclaimer on the trailer might lead to confusion among fans who expect to see the showcased content in Astartes 2. Many may not come across the clarifying post on the Warhammer Community site. Despite this, the teaser has sparked excitement and speculation, with the final image suggesting that the characters might end up in an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad.
Meanwhile, fans of Space Marine 2 have expressed envy and hope that some elements from the Astartes 2 teaser might influence their game. With Saber Interactive continuing to update Space Marine 2, there's a possibility for the developers to draw inspiration from Astartes once more.
