Producer Robert Orci said, "We worked with Urban back in the day, when Alex and I were the showrunners on Herucles and Xena. He always came through for us, and he is such a decent guy. None of what I just said, however, should be taken as a sign that any decisions have been made. Our only point is that, whatever happens, we’ve always loved Karl, and we all got our start in the same place."
Meanwhile, Mike Vogel ("Poseidon," "Cloverfield/1-18-08") is also rumored to play Kirk, though TrekMovie's source says Vogel is "just one of the people being looked at" and that no casting decisions have been finalized other than the ones already announced.
The site also says that Paul McGillion, the late great Doctor Carson Beckett on Stargate: Atlantis, had auditioned for the role of Scotty. That fits in with the previous rumor that the producers intended to cast someone with an actual Scottish accent.
Finally, Aint It Cool News has some interesting news about the plot. It seems that the Academy tie-in is much less than was originally envisioned, and that while some scenes will be set there, most won't. The Romulans may be trying to go back in time to alter Earth's history, and Kirk and Co. have to stop them. (Please please please say the crew doesn't meet the Romulans face-to-face. Please.) So, it's "First Contact" minus the Borg and plus an all-new cast. Joy.