Today’s top notch actors are vying for a starring role opposite Denzel Washington in “Safe House.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Daniel Espinosa are considering Tom Hardy (“Inception”), Zac Efron (“Charlie St. Cloud”), James McAvoy (“Wanted (2008)”), Sam Worthington (“Avatar”) and Shia LaBeouf (“Transformers”) to take the part, but Ryan Reynolds (“Green Lantern”) is the frontrunner.

Deadline Hollywood adds more names on the short list, mentioning Chris Pine (“Star Trek”), Garrett Hedlund (“Tron Legacy”), Channing Tatum (“G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra”), Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”), Jake Gyllenhaal (“Prince of Persia: Sands of Time”) and Taylor Kitsch (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”) as other contenders. No offer has been made so far but it is expected to happen soon as decision will be made shortly.

Having a script written by David Guggenheim, “Safe House” revolves around “the only surviving agent of an attack on a CIA safe house as he tries to get a lethal prisoner to a second safe house before being taken out by violent forces that want them both dead.” Denzel Washington has inked the deal to play the prisoner weeks ago, while the chosen one among the batch of younger actors will portray the CIA agent.

Production for the thriller is scheduled to start in early 2011, with Argentina and South Africa among the places being scouted. Scott Stuber will produce the upcoming movie and Trevor Macy is set to serve as executive producer. Universal Pictures has nabbed the U.S. distribution rights for the flick. [Source]