I think they’ve also hit the limits of escalation. That’s the ultimate problem with a large shared cinematic universe. They’ve had to keep escalating the big baddies and now there’s really nowhere to go but down. They haven’t built out the “infrastructure” to focus on the storytelling quality, just what they need to pump out splashy hollywood blockbusters. It’s not like Star Wars where they can tell an infinite number of interesting stories with the endless back and forth between the Empire and Rebel factions in the background.

Where do you go after Thanos wiping out half the universe with the flick of a finger? Thanos 2.0 wiping out 2/3rds of the universe? Who gives a shit. Deadpool is invincible. Scarlet Witch is basically a god. So is Vision. Loki is literally capable of time jumping at will while the universe disintegrates around him. There’s only so much you can lean on zany characters like the Guardians of the Galaxy before they jump the shark too.

All the good TV shows either ran their course (Agents of SHIELD), or were prematurely canceled like Punisher and Luke Cage during the Disney handover. Seriously, what now?

They just keep escalating with Loki. He Who Remains is another one of those deus ex villains that they’ll have to one up even further. Based on the season 2 finale I can’t even tell if they want a season 3 or if thats over too.

/rant