Nowadays, it’s easy to see that for most actors contemplating a role in a Marvel Studios movie, the decision is a quick one. But back when the studio was first starting, there was hesitance and even a degree of patronization for this comic-book/entertainment company thinking they were going to produce their own movies. Clearly things worked out well, as president Kevin Feige guided the company to an unprecedented inter-connected universe plan and record-setting box office, but one actor who was famously wavering over whether to join the MCU early on was Chris Evans.

The actor was highly hesitant to join the project before eventually signing on to lead Captain America: The First Avenger, and when Steve recently sat down with Evans in anticipation of his directorial debut Before We Go (in theaters and VOD September 4th), the actor confirmed that while his current Marvel contract only runs through Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1 and Part 2, he’s more than happy to extend his stay:

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“Listen, if Marvel wants me they got me. I’ve never had such a relationship where you have such—I mean look at my resume, I’m used to being on set being like, ‘Ah is this movie gonna be terrible?’ Marvel just can’t stop making great movies, they do it in their sleep. It’s wonderful directors and producers and actors and scripts, and it’s like a playground as an actor.”

Evans went on to candidly address his initial reluctance to sign on for The First Avenger:

“It’s so mind-boggling that I was so tentative in the beginning to jump onboard. What an asshole I would be if I hadn’t done this. I mean can you imagine? Kicking myself—I’d never forgive myself!”

So while Evans’ current contract runs out at the end of the sure-to-be-huge Infinity War saga, directed by his Winter Soldier and Civil War helmers Joe and Anthony Russo, he’s certainly game to stick around for as long as Marvel will have him. It’s entirely possible that Feige’s plan—now out from under the purview of the notoriously stingy Ike Perlmutter—includes a changing of the guards as far as Captain America is concerned, so there’s no guarantee Evans will stick around, but he’s become one of the cornerstones of the MCU regardless so here’s hoping.

Look for more of Steve’s interview with Evans later today.