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 reignited excitement among Warhammer 40,000 fans with the unexpected return of the long-awaited Astartes 2 animation, teased through a stunning trailer that has left enthusiasts in awe. However, there's a twist: none of the content featured in the teaser will be part of the final animation.

Astartes 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to the fan-made original, Astartes, crafted by Syama Pedersen. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of Warhammer 40,000 animations, the original surpassed even official works, rivaled only by Amazon's acclaimed Space Marine 2 animation in the Secret Level anthology series. The success of Astartes was so profound that it influenced Saber Interactive's Space Marine 2 and prompted Games Workshop to bring Syama Pedersen on board to work on the sequel.

Despite years of silence from Games Workshop, leading some to speculate the project might have been shelved, the company surprised fans on January 29, 2025, with a teaser trailer that promises an animation of unprecedented scale and quality for Warhammer 40,000. The trailer showcases an array of thrilling elements, including melee combat, shooting, vehicle combat, and spaceship battles, featuring various Space Marine chapters and enemy races 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

While the teaser ramps up anticipation for Astartes 2, Games Workshop has clarified on the Warhammer Community website that the trailer does not feature actual scenes from the animation. Instead, it's a montage representing the past lives of the characters set to appear in the show. A subtle hint at the end of the trailer suggests the storyline's direction, leaving fans to piece together the narrative puzzle.

This revelation might disappoint some fans, as the lack of a disclaimer on the trailer could lead to misconceptions about the content of Astartes 2. Many viewers might not see the Warhammer Community post, and thus expect to see the showcased elements in the final product.

Despite this, the teaser has sparked excitement and speculation among the community. The final image hints at the characters joining an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad, offering a tantalizing glimpse into what might unfold in the series.

The Astartes 2 teaser has also caught the attention of Space Marine 2 fans, who are eagerly hoping for some of the showcased elements, such as capes, to be integrated into their game. With Saber Interactive continuing to update Space Marine 2, there's hope that they might draw inspiration from Astartes once more.

Astartes 2 is set to launch exclusively on Games Workshop's subscription-only Warhammer+ streamer in 2026, promising a new chapter in the storied universe of Warhammer 40,000.