Scotty's role in the new film? (spoilers)

[The Academic]

If it is an alternate time line I think they can pretty much have free reign to do as they please.

However, not until the point of divergence between the TOS timeline and the nuTrek timeline (Nero destroying the U.S.S. Kelvin, I suppose)!

 

[Praetor]

Except that the thing that makes this an alternate timeline supposedly happens in the 2230s.

Unless there's something they're not telling us.

Edit: Crap, Academic, you beat me to it and I didn't even notice!

 

[The Academic]

Unless there's something they're not telling us.

You never know with J.J. Abrams...

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

But doesn't that rewrite the idea that he was Federation President by, what, 2190?

No, I believe he was an Admiral first (Starfleet chief of staff or something like that) and was later elected President.

 

[Praetor]

Here we go, from Memory Alpha:

After the founding of the Federation, Archer went on to serve in the Federation Starfleet. At his retirement from Starfleet, he was Chief of Staff at Starfleet Command with the rank of admiral. Archer became an honorary member of the Andorian Imperial Guard in 2164, Federation ambassador to Andoria in 2169, a representative on the Federation Council in 2175, and ultimately President of the United Federation of Planets in 2184, where he served for eight years. (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II")

And, FWIW:

For the biographical display seen in "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II", writer Mike Sussman wrote a final section of text that didn't end up being visible on screen, stating that Archer "...died at his home in upstate New York in the year 2245, exactly one day after attending the christening ceremony of the first Federation starship Enterprise, NCC-1701". Note that Sussman himself has said this information might not be canon.

So the bio had him Federation President until 2192. All well before the 2230s and the apparent critical event, or the other event. If he was the Federation President, wouldn't one expect after retirement he would still be called 'Mr. President' rather than 'Admiral'?

I dunno. Since it's all from a blurb of text on screen it's hardly an issue. It's just kind of annoying that they had the thought to put in a continuity wink that disregards what appears to be intended continuity from the original show. (And I don't even consider myself an 'Enterprise' fan.)

The bit about the christening of the Enterprise isn't even official canon anyway, but is probably 'different' in the movie timeline anyway.

 

[M'Sharak]

For the biographical display seen in "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II", writer Mike Sussman wrote a final section of text that didn't end up being visible on screen, stating that Archer "...died at his home in upstate New York in the year 2245, exactly one day after attending the christening ceremony of the first Federation starship Enterprise, NCC-1701". Note that Sussman himself has said this information might not be canon.

So the bio had him Federation President until 2192. All well before the 2230s and the apparent critical event, or the other event. If he was the Federation President, wouldn't one expect after retirement he would still be called 'Mr. President' rather than 'Admiral'?

I'd imagine that protocol dictates one thing and personal preference another. Many retired military men even today still append their final rank to their name on formal lists or documents:

_____ J. ______ III, Admiral, United States Navy (Retired)
​

and I'd imagine even a former president might be humored if he wished to keep referring to himself as Admiral.

 

[Praetor]

Well as long as there actually is real-world precedent that allows the original intent, I'm cool with it.