Lots of buzz today on J.J. Abrams‘ mysterious film codename Cloverfield. The teaser trailer is currently being shown in previews prior to screenings of Transformers.

We gave you the low down here on the teaser trailer, now check out the round up below regarding casting, plot, release dates, official Web site update, and a possible viral Web site marketing campaign.

• THR states that filming began in New York in mid-June. The cast includes Michael Stahl-David (The Black Donnellys), Odet Jasmin, Mike Vogel (Supercross), and Lizzy Kaplan (The Class).
• The film’s Web site located at www.1-18-08.com” has been updated and converted into a flash site. It features two photos taken on 1-18-08. The photo on top is from the going away party featured in the trailer and has a time stamp of 12:01 AM; behind that photo is one of two crying, frightened women, time stamp is 12:36 AM. Both photos move around, but there doesn’t seem to be an apparent reason for that.
• This site says that the film’s about “a creature from the sea that attacks Manhattan”; Here it claims that the entire movie is filmed as a point-of-view thing (Handicam) and that the scenes from the trailer are in the film. Also, that the real title of the film will be announced soon.
• Read about the trailer here; the trailer had been up on YouTube, but as everyone predicted, Paramount had it taken down. Now, it’s here … shhh…
• Two sites have popped up which appear to be theory-type sites that tie in with Cloverfield and contain puzzles and clues:

  EthanHaaswaswrong.blogspot.com

  which leads to:

  EthanHaaswasright.com

  Each puzzle solved opens up more clues of different varieties, either uncovered through codes, videos, or via email messages. Don’t bother trying these unless you have LOTS of time on your hands. Check out the screen shot below of the site, that’s as far as I got because I have very little patience apparently, which is why I’m so glad I found …

  

  … THIS Web site has the answers to all the puzzles and includes the video messages which were given (which are currently on YouTube). Even with all puzzles solved, there’s still no evidence that this is related to Cloverfield.

WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW: “Cloverfield” is not the movie’s real title; it’s a monster movie set in New York City; J.J. Abrams is producing through his Bad Robot production company; Paramount is the studio behind it; Drew Goddard wrote the script; Matt Reeves is directing; January 18, 2008 is the theatrical release date.