Games Workshop has unveiled a fresh trailer for Astartes II, the most anticipated Warhammer 40,000 animation ever produced, confirming key details about its plot and characters ahead of a December release on the company’s streaming service, Warhammer+.
The new footage, shown during Games Workshop’s ‘Big Autumn Preview’ event, reveals that the sequel will follow a Deathwatch unit investigating a Space Hulk. The studio also confirmed that Astartes II will be “significantly longer” than its predecessor, addressing one of the most common requests from fans who felt the original film ran too short.
A Return to Space Hulk
The trailer leans heavily into the grimdark atmosphere associated with the beloved tabletop game Space Hulk. Viewers see Space Marines moving through a dark, shadowy interior that promises lurking dangers in every corner, while a first-person shot of a corridor lit only by spotlights serves as the clearest signal yet that the classic game was an influence on the production.
The original Astartes was created by superfan Syama Pedersen, who was subsequently brought into the fold to make the official sequel. It is widely regarded as the greatest Warhammer 40,000 animation ever made, whether official or unofficial, with only Amazon’s excellent Space Marine 2 animation for the Secret Level anthology series competing with it in quality terms. Indeed, Astartes was so well received that it inspired Saber Interactive’s hugely successful Space Marine 2 in terms of the look and feel of the Space Marines themselves.
“We knew already that this was likely to feature Deathwatch and Terminators, from the unsubtle hints dropped at the end of the LAST trailer, and now we see them, they look like they mean business. The imposing line of storm bolter barrels and the crackle of a power fist, combined with the ominous surroundings, are certainly giving off some strong Space Hulk vibes.”
Games Workshop
A Cast of Chapters
Beyond the setting, Games Workshop took time to highlight the impressive roster of characters appearing in the sequel. The studio noted that fans could spot at least three different Space Marine chapters across the footage, adding depth to a story that will pit these warriors against formidable foes.
“Somehow even more intimidating than the blank visage of the Terminator helms is that helmeted Space Marine veteran, who could certainly be described as ‘grizzled,'” Games Workshop said. “And we think we clocked at least three different characters and Chapters of Space Marines in that trailer.”
The Deathwatch Terminators featured are the Inquisition-led squad first seen protecting an unnamed human soldier in last November’s promo video. While those earlier shots were actually a compilation representing the former lives of the characters rather than clips from the animation itself, fans can identify them by their pauldron chapter symbols: Retributors, Mortifactors, Scythes of The Emperor, Sons of Medusa, and Angels Vermilion.
Looking Ahead
The original teaser from last year suggested an animation on a scale and quality never before seen from Warhammer 40,000, showcasing melee combat, shooting, vehicle combat, and even spaceship battles. It depicted multiple Space Marine chapters in battle across varied environments against several enemy races, including Tyranids, Orks, and Tau.
Astartes II is due out this December on Warhammer+, Games Workshop’s streaming service. As the release approaches, fans continue to speculate about how the studio will deliver on the promise of a longer, more ambitious follow-up to one of the most celebrated entries in the franchise’s animation history.
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