J.J. said before that Shatner would not be in it, because he could not find a way around the fact that Kirk is already dead, and he felt it important to keep the continuity. So I am surprised to now hear that this has changed, kind of disappointing too, not that I don't want to see Shatner, but I would rather have continuity remain intact to some degree. And he is a very round pudgy man these days, while that is what has become of the actor William Shatner, I'd rather not see that be what becomes of Capt. James T. Kirk as well.

I know Shatner put up quite a melodramatic fuss at his not being in the film, maybe he kept whinning and they caved.