 Prior to production, Gene Roddenberry (qv) joked that he wanted  Richard Burton (I) (qv) for the role of Kirk and  Robert Redford (I) (qv) to play Spock. The joke was reported as  fact by some media. The role of Decker wasnt cast until days before  production started. Actors considered included:  Andrew Robinson (I) (qv) (later to play Garak on  _"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993)_ (qv)),  Jordan Clarke (I) (qv), Richard Kelton (I) (qv),  Lance Henriksen (qv), Tim Thomerson (qv),  Stephen Macht (I) (qv), Art Hindle (qv) and  Frederic Forrest (qv).