Warner Bros. launched its rebooted superhero franchise on Wednesday with a London premiere for “Superman,” the first film written and directed by James Gunn since he took charge of the studio’s DC Universe overhaul. An 11-foot, 3D-scanned statue of the Man of Steel was hoisted above Leicester Square as stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult greeted fans ahead of the movie’s release next week. Gunn said he blended comic-book lore with a contemporary tone to create “a movie about kindness” that nonetheless features “giant monsters, flying dogs, robots and space battles.” Speaking on the red carpet, Corenswet, who succeeds Henry Cavill in the title role, called donning the cape a confidence boost, while Brosnahan praised the script for highlighting Lois Lane’s journalistic integrity. Hoult, portraying Lex Luthor, drew on the comic series “All-Star Superman” to emphasize the villain’s self-proclaimed human superiority. The film introduces audiences to Gunn’s long-term vision for the DCU after recent box-office stumbles for the brand. It begins its global rollout on 9 July and opens widely in U.S. and U.K. cinemas on 11 July, positioning Warner Bros. Discovery for a critical mid-summer test of its refreshed superhero strategy.