Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World.

Captain America: Brave New World continues Sam Wilson’s journey as the new Captain America, proffering a litany of classic dialogue on the way. As the first Marvel film to feature Anthony Mackie’s Captain America in a solo outing, the movie is packed with memorable dialogue that explores his unique style and wit, but more importantly, his struggle to carry Steve Rogers’ shield. With high-stakes action and political intrigue, Captain America: Brave New World is brimming with memorable quotations.

Following the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson has fully embraced his role as the MCU timeline’s new Captain America. Meanwhile, President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (now played by Harrison Ford) has his own agenda, making things even more complicated for the new Cap. The movie also featured the thrilling return of Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns, who was last seen in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.

10. “Covert? Really? You Must Be New.”

Captain America To Military Official

Image via Marvel Studios

During the thrilling opening scene in Mexico, Captain America is en route to an enemy compound when a military official instructs Joaquín Torres to find a covert entry point. Without missing a beat, Sam Wilson scoffs and quips, “Covert? Really? You must be new.” before launching himself straight into the heart of the action. It’s a spectacular moment that sets the tone for the film’s action sequences and perfectly illustrates the differences between Sam and Steve Rogers.

While Steve often opted for calculated, stealth-based infiltration missions, Sam’s Cap embraces a more direct and bold approach, relying on his aerial capabilities and advanced tech to take enemies by surprise. This moment provides a laugh but also immediately establishes that Sam is forging his own path as Captain America rather than simply trying to emulate his predecessor. It also hints at the skepticism surrounding Sam’s leadership, a theme that persists throughout the film.

9. “I Have To Admit, I’m Still Getting Used To The New Look.”

Captain America To President Ross

Image via Marvel Studios

When Captain America first meets President Ross in Brave New World, he remarks, “I have to admit, I’m still getting used to the new look.” The line serves as a clever nod to real-world changes, as Harrison Ford has taken over the role of Ross following the death of William Hurt. However, within the film’s universe, Sam is actually referring to Ross’ decision to shave his signature mustache.

Ross jokingly responds that he was advised, “Lose the mustache or lose the election,” acknowledging the political optics at play. The exchange highlights Sam’s lighthearted side while also subtly reinforcing the idea that leadership – and public perception – can hinge on something as simple as appearance. It also reflects Sam’s ongoing adjustment to the shifting power dynamics with the government, as he must now navigate an administration as Captain America.

8. “You’re Not Steve Rogers.”

President Ross To Captain America

Image via Marvel Studios

After the assassination attempt on President Ross, Sam Wilson approaches him to request permission to investigate the incident and prove Isaiah Bradley’s innocence. However, Ross, ever the pragmatist, coldly shuts him down with the biting remark, “You’re not Steve Rogers.” This line is a gut punch for Sam, who has spent much of his tenure as Captain America grappling with the immense shadow cast by Steve’s legacy.

Unlike Rogers, Sam was not enhanced with the Super Soldier Serum, and many view him as a less capable successor. Ross’s statement is not just a rejection of Sam’s request; it’s a calculated attempt to undermine his confidence and remind him that the world still questions whether he is truly fit to wear the shield. The moment encapsulates one of the film’s central conflicts: Sam’s struggle to prove that Captain America isn’t defined by superpowers, but by the ideals he stands for.

7. “I Don’t Want A Variable Out There That I Can’t Control.”

President Ross Leila Taylor

After President Ross finishes his workout aboard his private airplane, he discusses the Adamantium treaty with Leila Taylor. Ross inquires about Sam Wilson’s whereabouts, and Leila informs him they have gone off the grid. To which Ross is concerned and replies, “I don’t want a variable out there that I can’t control.” This Captain America: Brave New World line is more revealing than it first seems.

Ross’s jovial nature regarding how hard he had been exercising and how many miles he’d cycled reframes Ross as a slightly more empathetic figure than he is traditionally. This is compounded greatly when combined with Harrison Ford’s trademark charisma. Nevertheless, the line, “I don’t want a variable out there that I can’t control.” hints at how clandestine he is and how much he has orchestrated behind the scenes. More importantly, it revealed that Ross still naively believed he was still in control despite the Leader’s schemes.

6. “I Was A Wartime General. Now I’m A Wartime President.”

President Ross To Leila Taylor

Image via Marvel Studios

When Ross learns that Japan was correct when they asserted America was behind Sidewinder’s plot to steal their adamantium, he is dumbfounded. As two of his advisors bark suggestions at him and Japan nears Celestial Island, Ross is overwhelmed and nearly succumbs to a Red Hulk transformation. Instead, he slams his fist into a table and makes moves to reclaim all the adamantium, regardless of the treaty. Leila Taylor expresses her concerns about war breaking out, to which, Ross interrupts, saying, “I was a wartime general. Now I’m a wartime president.”

This Captain America: Brave New World line captures Ross returning to his old ways or perhaps revealing that he never really left them. He is still blinded by the pursuit of his own goals, regardless of the consequences – as seen in The Incredible Hulk. With a slight amount of pressure, Ross quickly everts back to his imperialistic and militaristic tactics.

5. “Since When Are They Red?”

White House Journalist After Seeing Red Hulk

After Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross first transforms into Red Hulk during a press conference on the White House lawn, the chaos that ensues is met with sheer disbelief by onlookers. One journalist turns to another and incredulously asks, “Since when are they red?” This moment added some humor to an otherwise intense sequence, while also highlighting something not properly addressed in Brave New World: why Ross’s Hulk is red.

Given that Hulk-like beings in the MCU have typically been green, the sudden emergence of a red-skinned version is bound to raise eyebrows. This quote serves as a meta-commentary, echoing the audience’s confusion while also reinforcing the film’s more grounded approach – where even in a world filled with superheroes, the unexpected can still surprise people. It’s a witty and memorable line that helps balance the movie’s action with well-placed levity.

4. “You Want To Know What’s Funny?” “You Killed A Lot Of Good Men Trying To Get Your Revenge. Trust Me, We Don’t Share The Same Sense Of Humor.”

Captain America And Samuel Sterns

During the Brave New World post-credits scene, Sam Wilson visits an incarcerated Samuel Sterns and points out that Sterns lost their bet about whether Red Hulk and Thaddeus Ross would retain a scrap of humanity. Sterns simply replies “You want to know what’s funny?” Sam Wilson retorts, “I’m not in the mood for your jokes. You killed a lot of good men trying to get your revenge. Trust me, we don’t share the same sense of humor.”

This Captain America: Brave New World Line is quite fascinating because while dismissing the notion of joking about the Leader’s crimes, Sam Wilson himself delivers a joke. It’s one of the few genuinely witty lines in the movie. Interestingly, the line is very different in the trailers, suggesting that this scene was changed in post-production. This could explain the slightly clunky segue, or why Wilson would even decide to visit him.

3. “Steve Gave People Something To Believe In. And You Give Them Something To Aspire To.”

Bucky To Captain America

After Falcon is injured during the air fight at Celestial Island, Sam Wilson watches over him in the hospital. There, he is visited by Bucky Barnes, who offers Sam some heartfelt advice on the differences between Sam’s legacy and Steve Rogers’. Bucky points out that while Steve Rogers took the Super Soldier Serum, it didn’t help protect his loved ones, while Sam’s decision to not take it, makes him a more relatable Captain America. Bucky concludes that “Steve gave people something to believe in. And you give them something to aspire to.”

This is the most beautiful and poignant line in Captain America: Brave New World. It highlights the reasons that Sam was chosen to be the next Captain America and addresses some of the movie’s key discussions around whether Sam should have taken the Serum. However, Bucky’s words tenderly suggest that Sam Wilson’s relative humanity compared to Steve Rogers might actually be more valuable.

2. “I Should Have Taken That Serum. Bucky Was Full Of Sh*t”

Captain America To Himself

Image via Marvel Studios

During the climactic battle between Captain America and Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World, Sam Wilson is clearly struggling to match Red Hulk’s strength. Repeatedly battered, Sam’s wings were damaged, and it seemed like Sam wouldn’t be able to stop him. Lamenting, Sam mutters to himself, “I should have taken that serum. Bucky was full of sh*t.”

This line references Sam Wilson’s earlier conversation where they discussed whether Sam should have taken the Super Soldier Serum when he had the chance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier but elected not to. Bucky reassured him that it was the right decision, but while battling Red Hulk, Sam reconsiders his friend’s advice. It’s a funny callback and helps solidify one of the movie’s major themes: that Sam Wilson’s humanity is a benefit, not a hindrance.

1. “All You Heroes Protecting This World. Do You Think You’re The Only Ones? Do You Think This Is The Only World? We’ll See What Happens When You Have To Protect This Place From The Others.”

Sterns To Captain America

During the Captain America: Brave New World post-credits scene, after Sterns asks Sam Wilson if he wants to know something funny, Leader proffers a cryptic and harrowing warning. Sterns coldly suggests, “It’s coming. I’ve seen it in the probability. It’s coming. I’ve seen it in the probability. Seen it plain as day. All you heroes protecting this world. Do you think you’re the only ones? Do you think this is the only world? We’ll see what happens when you have to protect this place from the others.”

This warning is stark and concerning, while also spotlighting the Leader’s incredible intellect. Hinting at villains from other worlds, the scene is presumably alluding to Doctor Doom and the conclusion to the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Tim Blake Nelson delivers the line with a chilling effect, making it one of the movie’s highlights. Though audiences will have to wait and see precisely what Leader was hinting at, this line provided the perfect conclusion to Captain America: Brave New World, and the perfect impetus for Cap to assemble a new Avengers team.