See... I just don't like those kind of ideas. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, the reason i'd want Shatner back is to specifically end his Kirk on a better note than Generations did.
Star Trek 2009 had the scene to really make that happen, and after reading the original scripted ending versus what we got, I actually do feel it's absence. It would have been that one last little surprise at the very end.
The next opportunity that would have made sense would be the 50th anniversary, but Beyond is already completed. So that won't happen.
So any genuine opportunity that won't feel completely lame, and cheesy has come and gone I think. I don't really want to see "Shatner playing nuKirk's great granddad" or things along the lines of what Enterprise was rumored to do, have him playing some side character dude... No. If Shatner isn't playing old James T. Kirk, I really don't want to see him. Anything other than that would pull me from the movie because it would be such a huge ginormous wink at the audience.
When Spock made his appearance in 2009, *finger snap* immediate lump in my throat. Shot me right in the childhood memories. That was a magical cinematic moment. A real passing of the torch from as far back in Trek history as we can go, the guy who was there from the very beginning, to the absolutely freshest of fresh-faced actors/versions of a character we've had. One generation shaking hands with another.
So as someone who really did want to see Kirk return, when it would have worked, I agree with JJ. It's got no juice behind it at this point.
