--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have a lot more unlikely heroes now…" description: "\"We have a lot more unlikely heroes now. It’s not just the guy with guns—it’s the guy with brains.\" — Benedict Cumberbatch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_brain_we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-i_2638024.jpg" --- # We have a lot more unlikely heroes now. It’s not just the… ![“We have a lot more unlikely heroes now. It’s not just the guy with guns—it’s the guy with brains.” quote by Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_brain_we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-i_2638024.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_brain_we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-i_2638024.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_brain_we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-i_2638024.jpg) > “We have a lot more unlikely heroes now. It’s not just the guy with guns—it’s the guy with brains.” [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intelligence and wit are increasingly valued over brute force in modern hero narratives. **In simple terms:** Brains matter more than guns now. Key Takeaway Recognize and celebrate intellectual heroes. Themes heroism intelligence culture media representation Mood inspirational thoughtful Type analytical observational When to use this quote - storytelling - media analysis - education - leadership - policy making Key Concepts cultural shift hero archetype social values Questions to Reflect On - How does society reward intellectual contributions? - When might physical force be essential? A Different Perspective Not all heroes succeed without physical capability; some contexts still demand strength. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Gun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun/) [Guns Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guns-guy-2244071/) [Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy/) [Guy Brains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy-brains-2244070/) [Guy Guns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy-guns-2244069/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Heroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroes/) [Unlikely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlikely/) [Unlikely heroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlikely-heroes/) ## Related quotes > [Honestly, my character doesn't have much in common with Harry Potter besides the fact that he's an unlikely hero who's thrown into a huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logan-lerman/honestly-my-character-doesn-t-have-much-in-common-with-harry-potter/) [Logan Lerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logan-lerman/) > [The Tale of Despereaux is the story of an unlikely hero, a mouse, who falls in love with a princess and then must save…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dicamillo/the-tale-of-despereaux-is-the-story-of-an-unlikely-hero-a-mouse-who/) [Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dicamillo/) > [I love the individual characters that cricket produces and, more than most other sports, the unlikely heroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-agnew/i-love-the-individual-characters-that-cricket-produces-and-more-than/) [Jonathan Agnew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-agnew/) > [The Tale of Despereaux came at the request of Luke, my friend's then-eight-year-old son, who asked, "Write for me the story of an unlikely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dicamillo/the-tale-of-despereaux-came-at-the-request-of-luke-my-friend-s-then/) [Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dicamillo/) > [“Leaders would be born in this movement, unlikely heroes whose impact on food production would change a nation, and possibly the world. ~Seeds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-holland/leaders-would-be-born-in-this-movement-unlikely-heroes-whose-impact/) [Carolyn Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-holland/) > [“Doha wasn’t a very good friend. But he was a good person. And he was a great engineer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-collier/doha-wasn-t-a-very-good-friend-but-he-was-a-good-person-and-he-was-a/) [Molly Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-collier/) > [“He grins to himself as he thinks of his little cabal, this great band of warriors consisting of an old woman, a passion-struck fool,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-j-klune/he-grins-to-himself-as-he-thinks-of-his-little-cabal-this-great-band/) [T.J. Klune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-j-klune/) > [It was true of Anzac Day. And our crowd would have been proud to see our club play that way, under that stress when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-was-true-of-anzac-day-and-our-crowd-would-have-been-proud-to-see/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Political thriller? International thriller? Financial thriller? Whatever you call it, The Ascendant is smart, edgy, fast-paced storytelling at its best. Its unlikely hero, Garrett…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/political-thriller-international-thriller-financial-thriller-whatever/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [In the heat of battle, heroes emerge, sometimes from the most unlikely of sources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/in-the-heat-of-battle-heroes-emerge-sometimes-from-the-most-unlikely/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [Freud pointed out, in his Problem of Lay Analysis, that it is extremely unlikely that a young man who would throw the best years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/freud-pointed-out-in-his-problem-of-lay-analysis-that-it-is-extremely/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/there-is-a-rumour-going-around-that-i-have-found-god-i-think-this-is/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [It's very unlikely you're a genius, but, if you're ready to work at it hard and you want to listen to music all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/it-s-very-unlikely-you-re-a-genius-but-if-you-re-ready-to-work-at-it/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [God has often given His people favor in the sight of heathen masters (as Joseph and Daniel), and has magnified the sufficiency of His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/god-has-often-given-his-people-favor-in-the-sight-of-heathen-masters/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [But I said that you could still want something that is very unlikely to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-haddon/but-i-said-that-you-could-still-want-something-that-is-very-unlikely/) [Mark Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-haddon/) ## More by Benedict Cumberbatch > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [It's the same thing, I think, whether it's breathing or meditation or yoga. And running is a great way of doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/it-s-the-same-thing-i-think-whether-it-s-breathing-or-meditation-or/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being someone who is of our sensual reality, Stephen Strange has a lifestyle, he has a sexuality, he's materialistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-someone-who-is-of-our-sensual-reality-stephen-strange-has-a/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [If you have an over-preoccupation with perception and trying to please people's expectations, then you can go mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/if-you-have-an-over-preoccupation-with-perception-and-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being on set is quite difficult, because it's so big and you've got to try and relax, which isn't easy when you know you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-on-set-is-quite-difficult-because-it-s-so-big-and-you-ve-got-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I know that might sound perverse because I played Julian Assange but, honestly, I don't think it would be fair for me to judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-know-that-might-sound-perverse-because-i-played-julian-assange-but/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Maybe it's just getting older, but I don't want to miss things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/maybe-it-s-just-getting-older-but-i-don-t-want-to-miss-things/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think playing any iconic role when you're stepping into big shoes, into the shadow of people who have come before you and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-playing-any-iconic-role-when-you-re-stepping-into-big-shoes/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ \[While voicing cartoons\] you have to lose your sanity and inhibitions and any kind of dignity and just throw yourself around a bit. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/while-voicing-cartoons-you-have-to-lose-your-sanity-and-inhibitions/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I'm not very geeky. I'm quite homespun. I would say I'm more modern rustic than gadget-orientated. I like woollen things and log fires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-m-not-very-geeky-i-m-quite-homespun-i-would-say-i-m-more-modern/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [This is an odd profession, and sometimes people get jealous, but I haven't really experienced any of that. Everyone's been really happy for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/this-is-an-odd-profession-and-sometimes-people-get-jealous-but-i/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-can-feel-infinitely-alive-curled-up-on-the-sofa-reading-a-book/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think with any characterization there's a point where you empathize, no matter how much of a deviance his or her actions may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-with-any-characterization-there-s-a-point-where-you-empathize/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [When are you ever settled enough to have kids?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/when-are-you-ever-settled-enough-to-have-kids/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [You have to sometimes just run with the problem rather than trying to solve it with hi-tech wizardry and lots of planning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/you-have-to-sometimes-just-run-with-the-problem-rather-than-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) [Explore all 281 Benedict Cumberbatch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## More Brain quotes > [The brain abhors discrepancies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/the-brain-abhors-discrepancies/) [Vilayanur S. Ramachandran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/) > [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [down with ought with because with every brain that thinks it thinks nor dares to feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/down-with-ought-with-because-with-every-brain-that-thinks-it-thinks/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [I prefer the word 'musician.' I'm a musician and a composer. I have a problem with the word 'artist.' I don't know if it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-prefer-the-word-musician-i-m-a-musician-and-a-composer-i-have-a/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [Thinking of sex provides enough mental stimulation to reduce risk of diseases that damage the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/thinking-of-sex-provides-enough-mental-stimulation-to-reduce-risk-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My writing routine is: get son off to school and sit down at 8 A.M. I read what I wrote the day before, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/my-writing-routine-is-get-son-off-to-school-and-sit-down-at-8-a-m-i/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/) [Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/) > [Without illusions. I love you because you are fallible and because your poor misguided testosterone-corrupted brain has you doing cartwheels trying not to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/without-illusions-i-love-you-because-you-are-fallible-and-because/) [Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/) > [being asked to decide between your passion for work and your passion for children was like being asked by your doctor whether you preferred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-bevington/being-asked-to-decide-between-your-passion-for-work-and-your-passion/) [Helen Bevington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-bevington/) > [I was told I had brain damage. I always knew it was an unfair label. Now I have a clearer understanding of what's wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-boyle/i-was-told-i-had-brain-damage-i-always-knew-it-was-an-unfair-label/) [Susan Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-boyle/) > [The act of learning to read added an entirely new circuit to our hominid brain's repertoire. The long developmental process of learning to read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryanne-wolf/the-act-of-learning-to-read-added-an-entirely-new-circuit-to-our/) [Maryanne Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryanne-wolf/) > [I can't let fear kill my creative brain. Fear is the killer. Your bad choices come from fear. And I'm constantly combating fear. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-can-t-let-fear-kill-my-creative-brain-fear-is-the-killer-your-bad/) [Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/) > [I am the way I am. If you like me because I'm glamorous, so be it. If you like me, because I speak well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malaika-arora-khan/i-am-the-way-i-am-if-you-like-me-because-i-m-glamorous-so-be-it-if/) [Malaika Arora Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malaika-arora-khan/) [Browse all 8,465 Brain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have a lot more unlikely heroes now. It’s not just the guy with guns—it’s the guy with brains.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Benedict Cumberbatch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-it-s-not-just-the-guy-with/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Brain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-it-s-not-just-the-guy-with/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_brain_we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-i_2638024.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_brain_we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-i_2638024.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_brain_we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-i_2638024.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have a lot more unlikely heroes now. It’s not just the guy with guns—it’s the guy with brains.” — Benedict Cumberbatch", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Benedict Cumberbatch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We have a lot more unlikely...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-it-s-not-just-the-guy-with/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-have-a-lot-more-unlikely-heroes-now-it-s-not-just-the-guy-with/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```