India, July 17 -- As James Gunn successfully rebooted the DC Universe with his new Superman film, conversations have shifted around what this success would mean for the film's stars. Historically, Superman films have always starred up-and-coming actors in the lead role, who go on to become bigger stars over the years. That much is evident by the fact that even in Gunn's Superman, the highest-paid actor is not David Corenswet, but Nicholas Hoult (who plays Lex Luthor). But Richard Donner's Superman did a one-up on this, and in a much grander fashion. That film got a screen legend for a cameo, and paid him 75 times more than the film's star.

The 1978 Superman film was the third big-screen adaptation of the character's story. Directed by Ri...