James Gunn, writer and director of the off-kilter "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, tussled with various ideas on how to deliver a new take on Superman to the big screen.

The filmmaker said the David Corenswet-led film also comes at a "particular time when people are feeling a loss of hope in other people’s goodness."

With Corenswet in place, Gunn recruited Rachel Brosnahan to join the reboot as love interest Lois Lane. British actor Nicholas Hoult — who also auditioned to play Superman — was then cast as Supes’ arch-enemy Lex Luthor.