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Denzel Washington Finds Shelter in New 'Safe House' Thriller

by Ethan Anderton
July 9, 2010

Most people love when their favorite leading man takes on the role of a hero in any given story, whether it's something as fantastical as a superhero or as grounded as an ethical passionate lawyer. But sometimes, it's even more enjoyable to see that same actor take on the role of a diabolical villain. Denzel Washington has found a couple of his finest performances in Training Day and American Gangster by playing the bad guy. Now Vulture reports he might go back to crime with Safe House, an original thriller that sees him playing a dangerous criminal who's on the run from a young CIA agent after his "safe house" comes under attack.

Writer David Guggenheim penned the script, which is described as a mix of Collateral and Three Days of the Condor, and started a bidding war for the project last winter. Deadline has a bit more info on it, as they report Snabba Cash director Daniel Espinosa will direct the thriller. The real question now is who they'll get to star opposite the intimidating Washington. Personally, at the risk of making an original script a little less original, I think it would be kind of interesting to see Ethan Hawke take the agent role thus creating a kind of makeshift sequel to Training Day. Frankly, I'm surprised that studios haven't already thought of that idea with all the brand/name recognition they've been going for. Maybe I shouldn't say anything. Interested?

Filed under Casting, Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

Frame

Hell yeah, I'm interested. Denzel's my favorite actor and I think he deserves someone opposite him who is just as "intimidating" as you say. Maybe, uhhhhh, Christian Bale? Or how about Johnny Depp, just for kicks?
Dave13

woo. sounds exciting! American Ganster is one of my favorite movies, and certainly one of Denzel's best performances. Denzel vs Depp or Bale is meh for me. I'd rather see one of those newer name actors, like Andrew Garfield (not nec. him, but someone lumped in that group) go vs him. They need a young DiCaprio or something to face him.
harrison

good good, i love spy movies like 3 days of the condor, and throwing denzel in one would make it that much better, just watched the book of eli today and it reminded me why hes one of my favorite actors, he just that damn good
bishopsring

I am actually interested in Jeremy Renner from Hurt Locker. I see him as young and arrogant for a CIA agent who wants to tag a thriller. Ethan Hawke is obvious but this movie needs to separate itself from training day. No more sequel/prequels/reboots. Lets focus on something fresh and new. I may want to even try Chris Pine. Definitely done action. But can he pull off CIA agent. If I wanted crazy. I would choose Sam Rockwell. I believe he has done something in the spy thriller arena before.
Eli

Rockwell is the man. Yeah, okay with Denzel, but I think I'm done with him playin someone who's being pursued by the cops or FBI or CIA. I mean I could watch this maybe, but I could see it fall through despite his huge fanbase. Having hawke in pursuit would be corny because he was after nicolas cage in Lord Of War.
AC

it couldnt really be considered a training day sequel, denzel was executed... but i understand where you are going with that, and i too think hawke would be a good cast.
http://www.prettygoddess.com Pretty Russian Women :

denzel washington is of course a very good actor and i think that he should have lifetime achievement award too ''