Washington says Reynolds gave him his first black eye Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington arrive for the "Safe House" Premiere at the SVA Theatre in New York on February 7, 2012. NEW YORK, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Hollywood film star Denzel Washington says he sustained his first black eye during a fight scene with Ryan Reynolds, his co-star in the thriller "Safe House." Asked at a recent press conference in New York if anyone was hurt while making the action picture, Washington told reporters, "Ryan gave me a black eye." There's a scene where I reach over [a car seat] to try to choke him and I have handcuffs on. We were flying around in the car. He wasn't actually driving the car, it was being controlled by somebody else. So, it just happened as I was reaching forward, he was flying back and pow!" the 57-year-old double-Oscar winner recalled. "And that was my early retirement," quipped Reynolds, who was sitting beside Washington. I've given Denzel Washington a black eye, I should probably go home. "That first look you gave me after it happened, I just ...," Reynolds, 35, said to his co-star. "That was a real look," Washington laughed. "It felt real," Reynolds replied. It was weird to feel my face on fire [from embarrassment.] "It was strange because I'd never had a black eye in my life, but I can't say that any more," Washington admitted. I'm glad I was your first. If it was going to be anyone, it was an apologetic Canadian," Reynolds joked. In the film, Reynolds plays a CIA agent charged with minding Washington's brilliant, dangerous ex-intelligence officer, who has gone rogue, in a remote location in South Africa. The R-rated movie hit theaters Friday. Washington's film credits include "Glory," "Malcolm X," "The Hurricane," "Training Day," "Inside Man" and "American Gangster." He won a Tony Award in 2010 for his work in the play "Fences." Reynolds has starred in the hit movies "The Proposal," "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "Green Lantern."