That description, of course, fits the MCU at the end of Thunderbolts*. Ever since Avengers: Endgame, with the death of Iron Man and Black Widow and Captain America’s retirement, Earth has remained unprotected.

Ultimately, when some talk about the revival of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Thunderbolts*" may get the credit for starting it all.

Yes, Thunderbolts* is literally a superhero movie about has-beens fighting off depression. It's more than a little on the nose, given Marvel's trajectory. But what's welcome about it is the lack of pretension, the relatively minimal burden of franchise lore, and the general competence with which the requisite action and comedy beats are assembled.