In the absence of Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow—charismatic characters who once held the Avengers’ universe together—Marvel is looking to rebuild its superhero roster, though arguably without any true superheroes. Pugh may well become the centrepiece of this evolving universe.

Populated by the schlubs of the superhero world, "Thunderbolts*" is another step in the right direction for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it continues extricating itself from the mess of the Multiverse Saga.

The answer, of course, is that “Thunderbolts” has no more indie cred than “Avatar.” What it is, though, is the best Marvel movie in years. “Thunderbolts,” about a group of MCU rejects who band together after CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine ( Julia Louis-Dreyfus ) tries to erase them and their covert program,