When “Superman” aka the Man of Steel aka Clark Kent returns this week, it’s hardly the familiar legend your parents knew.

In writer-director-producer James Gunn’s reboot, his Superman — starring virtual unknown David Corenswet — is introduced as anything but super. In fact, he’s facing his first defeat.

Gunn, famous for taking an enormous risk that paid off when “Guardians of the Galaxy” become a global franchise, had a vision for this Supe that neatly aligns with youthful memories.

Calling “Superman,” “The biggest challenge I’ve ever had,” Gunn’s Superman faces challenges in a world populated by monsters both grim and funny.

“I’m never sure what I’m doing is going to translate to an audience,” Gunn, 58, acknowledged in a phone interview. “I’m taking big risks. When I started reading comic books as a kid, I entered this magical world with Superman, monsters, other superheroes.

And magic. And crazy science and flying dogs.

“I just wanted to recreate that feeling I had as a kid entering the world of comic books.”

As to why Superman endures, “He is a character that’s been loved for a long time for lot of different reasons. Today, he’s specially relevant in a world of a lot of chaos. A world with a lot of people in power who don’t seem like they have our best interests at heart.

“Superman is something we dream about: This all-powerful guy who only has our best interests. He only wants to save people. He only is acting from the goodness of his heart.

“It’s refreshing to see that. It’s like getting into a cool bath on a hot summer day. It’s something we’re thirsty for — and I’m excited for people to experience that goodness in the theater.”

How easy/hard was it to settle on Corenswet?

“It really wasn’t close. David came in — he was actually the second audition I saw on tape — and he looked like Superman, which is important. But he had the dramatic and comedic chops. He was able to deliver the fast-paced dialog and the style that I wanted.”

This Supe has a best friend and wildly enthusiastic companion in rambunctious flying canine Krypto, a CGI marvel.

“I rescued my dog, Ozu” — yes, he’s named after the iconic Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu. “He was in this terrible situation where he was raised with 60 other dogs in a 12 by 12 space. I adopted him because his one ear stuck out.

“He ended up to be this terrible, terrible dog that destroyed all my furniture, ate my laptop, wouldn’t stop biting my feet. I thought, Oh, thank God, he doesn’t have superpowers.

“And that’s when I put Krypto in the movie! He’s totally based on my dog.”

“Superman” is in theaters Friday