^I doubt it too, and I think a lot will depend on just exactly what time-frame we're talking about here. We know that Spock served under Pike for 11 years and four months, about 13 years prior to the events of 'The Menagerie'.Number One was Pike's XO at that time, which most likely was around the beginning of Spock's service under Pike. I'm guessing that closer to the time of Kirk taking command, Pike most likely had a different First Officer.So, if the movie shows the Enterprise under Pike close to the time that Kirk takes command, then we most likely won't see Number One. I'm actually wondering if we'll see two different time-frames of the Pike era; one early one when Spock graduates from the Academy and is assigned to the Enterprise, and one much later, when Kirk is poised to take over.IMO, this has to be the way its done, because to believe that Kirk became a captain just out of the Academy is just plain silly, not to mention it would greatly contradict canon.
Well-reasoned... but possibly stretching the issue a bit further than "fits." By that, I mean that I really don't think that the film will be as "Enterprise-centered" as you're inferring here.
I really don't think that this film is going to be "Enterprise-centric" at all. We know that they all end up together (in whatever role) in a scene at the end of the film which is set on the 1701 Bridge (whatever that bridge set happens to look like... can't be TOO different, otherwise the "magic" feel people keep talking about really wouldn't fit well, would it?)
Here's the sequence I expect the film to incorporate:
1) Framing sequence #1 - Spock in the 24th century. Probably about six to ten minutes of screen time... maybe less. Whether this leads to Spock time-travelling or not is yet to be established.
2) Early-to-mid-23rd-century setting... Shikahr City (sp?) on Vulcan. Sarek and Amanda and infant Spock being born.
3) Mid-23rd-century setting... older starship... George Kirk is assigned to the ship... SOMETHING happens, and George Kirk is killed.
4) Mid-23rd-century setting... Iowa, Kirk Farm. Young Jimmy finds out about his father's death. This is a a formative moment in Kirk's personality.
5) Mid-to-late-23rd-century setting... San Francisco. Kirk at the Academy (not as a cadet, but rather as a full Lieutenant who's returned for the Command (advanced) Course. Takes (and cheats on) the Kobayashi Maru. Fully expect to see Spock. May also see Scott. Could see Mitchell, Finnegan, Ruth, Carol, Gill, Finney, etc, etc... but not as major characters (ie, non-fans won't know or care about who these guys are in "trek-history" terms) Do NOT expect to see McCoy, Sulu, Chekov, Uhura. Kirk is punished by getting assigned to a "bad" certification cruise (same cruise as Lt. Saavik was on for TWOK) rather than a "glory posting."
6) Kirk on his cruise... Spock also likely aboard. Something bad happens... Kirk has to take charge of things (senior officer killed or disabled?) Spock's "older cousin" may come back into play at this point (if time travel is involved). Fully expect Scott to be present. Hope to see civilian McCoy involved. Cadets Sulu, Chekov, and Uhura could be present (similar to the cadets Saavik commanded in TWOK).
7) Enterprise (under command of Pike) comes to the rescue after Kirk manages to prove his mettle. Enterprise was called by Spock (who previously served under the command of Pike). If time travel is really involved... "which Spock?"
8) Since this is a "big movie"... most likely a "big event" involving Enterprise and some "bad guy" at this point (think of "The Poseidon Adventure" as the model... Kirk and Co. not on Enterprise, but facing a deadline (and possibly hostiles) while Enterprise (under Pike) races to get to a point where they can rescue the survivors (under Kirk).
9) Kirk and Co. are rescued... all end up on the Bridge for the penultimate sequence of the film... Kirk is not in command but expresses a desire to "sit in that center seat someday."
10) Final sequence involving Nimoy's Spock. Possibly in the 24th century, possibly in the 23rd... very likely involves death, though could involve "riding off into the sunset" once again. In any case, it will seem like a sacrifice and a very noble one at that. If time travel ISN'T present, something else has to provide that "noble denouement." (Possibly a handing-the-torch to a 24th-century successor... maybe even a Romulan?)