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 worldwide. However, a crucial detail emerges: the trailer showcases scenes not featured in the actual animation.

Astartes 2, a sequel to the acclaimed fan-made original by Syama Pedersen, is considered a landmark achievement in Warhammer 40,000 animation. Its impact is undeniable, even inspiring Saber Interactive's successful Space Marine 2. Games Workshop subsequently hired Pedersen to helm the sequel.

Years of silence surrounding Astartes 2 fueled speculation about its cancellation. The January 29th, 2025 teaser trailer release, however, surprised fans with its epic scope and visual fidelity. The trailer boasts breathtaking sequences: melee combat, ranged firefights, vehicle clashes, and even space battles, featuring various Space Marine Chapters and enemy factions (Tyranids, Orks, and Tau).

While the trailer effectively generates hype, Games Workshop clarified on the Warhammer Community website that the footage is not from the actual animation. Instead, it depicts the "former lives" of characters appearing in Astartes 2, hinting at the overarching narrative.

This lack of clarity, coupled with the absence of a disclaimer on the trailer itself, could potentially lead to disappointment among viewers who expect the trailer's content to be in the final product. Many may not see the clarifying Warhammer Community post.

Despite this, the teaser sparks excitement and speculation. The final image suggests the characters converge into an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad.

The Astartes 2 teaser has already ignited envy among Space Marine 2 fans, with many hoping for some of its elements (like capes) to be incorporated into the game. Given Saber Interactive's ongoing updates to Space Marine 2, this cross-pollination of inspiration seems entirely plausible.