'Safe House 2' in the Works at Universal (Exclusive)

Universal Pictures

Universal is working on a follow-up to one of its biggest domestic hits of 2012, Safe House.

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David Guggenheim, who wrote the original script while working a day job as an editor at Us Weekly, is back to pen the as-yet-untitled sequel. Scott Stuber is returning as producer via his Universal-based Bluegrass Films. 

The action-thriller original followed a bored young CIA agent (Ryan Reynolds) overseeing a South African safe house who is thrust into a life-and-death adventure when he has to keep a rogue agent (Denzel Washington) safe.

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Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Safe House made $126 million domestically and $202 million worldwide.

Reynolds likely would return to star in the sequel, though a source says no deal has been made. Washington’s involvement is less clear because (spoiler alert) his character didn't survive the first movie. Sources say the studio is keen to have Washington involved, however.

All parties were mum as to whether the new project would be a prequel or a sequel.

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Since selling the first Safe House as a spec, Guggenheim has gone on to a successful writing career. He has Stolen (formerly Medallion), starring Nicolas Cage and Malin Akerman, awaiting release, and he wrote the spec Narco Sub, a submarine thriller that was to have been late director Tony Scott’s next movie. Guggenheim also snagged his first book deal this year.

He is repped by Paradigm, Madhouse Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham.

Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com

Twitter: @Borys_Kit