Long-Awaited Warhammer 40,000 Animation Astartes 2 Is Back From the Dead With Incredible Teaser Trailer — but There’s a Catch

Games Workshop has resurrected the highly anticipated Warhammer 40,000 animation, Astartes 2, with a stunning teaser trailer that has captivated fans. However, there's a crucial detail: the trailer showcases scenes that won't actually appear in the final animation.

Astartes 2 is the sequel to the fan-made original Astartes, created by Syama Pedersen, widely considered the best Warhammer 40,000 animation ever made. Its success even inspired Saber Interactive's Space Marine 2, leading Games Workshop to bring Pedersen on board for the sequel.

After years of silence, the January 29th release of the teaser trailer was a welcome surprise. It depicts breathtaking visuals, showcasing melee combat, ranged battles, vehicle warfare, and even spaceship conflicts across various environments and featuring multiple Space Marine Chapters and enemy races (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 teaser's impressive scale is deceptive, however. A Warhammer Community post clarifies that the footage is not from the actual animation but rather a compilation representing the characters' past lives. The post hints at the overall narrative, leaving fans to piece together the story.

While the teaser is visually impressive, its misleading nature is a concern. The lack of a disclaimer might lead viewers to expect the depicted scenes in the final product, especially those who don't see the Warhammer Community post.

Despite this, the teaser fuels speculation and excitement. The final image suggests the characters will ultimately join an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad. This has already sparked interest from Space Marine 2 fans, who hope to see some of the teaser's elements incorporated into the game, with capes being a popular suggestion. Given Saber Interactive's continued updates to Space Marine 2, further inspiration from Astartes seems plausible.