[Watch] SDCC 2017: Check out the trailer for Guillermo Del Toro’s (possible) ‘Hellboy’ prequel, ‘The Shape of Water’

Is this the origin of Hellboy's consistantly moist companion?

Guillermo Del Toro releases the first trailer for what appears to be a 'Hellboy' prequel, 'The Shape of Water'.

It was officially announced a while back that Guillermo Del Toro likely will not be able to return for the sequels to several of the film franchises that made him a household name, like 'Pacific Rim' and 'Hellboy', due to his involvement with other passion projects like the upcoming Hideo Kojima game, 'Death Stranding'. With a new 'Hellboy' reboot on the way starring 'Stranger Things' David Harbour, it was looking like Del Toro might never find his was back to the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense.

Earlier today, however, a very interesting trailer released for a film directed by the man himself called 'The Shape of Water.'

An other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.

Although it hasn't been officially confirmed, the movie appears to be an origin story for the telepathic humanoid from the 'Hellboy' movies, Abe Sapien. All the elements are there: same stripey pattern, stays in water tanks, being studied by some covert organization, an appetite for eggs. Not to mention the fact that IMDB has Doug Jones, the original body actor for the role with an unnamed billing. We won't know for sure until we hear more at this year's Comic Con.

The movie stars Michael Shannon, Doug Jones, Sally Hawkings, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer.

The Shape of Water releases December 8th!