 The TV series was to have three new regular characters. Paramount  was concerned that William Shatner (qv) might ask for too much  money to continue playing Kirk if the run of the series was extended  beyond the initial order of 13 episodes; the character of Decker was  created so that if Kirk had to be written out, Decker could become  the series new lead role. Decker was played in the movie by  Stephen Collins (I) (qv).