Aesir Corporation

Lore & Background

Aesir Corporation is introduced in the film as a pharmaceutical manufacturer that developed Valkyr under a military contract. The project aimed to create super-soldiers, but only a few subjects—like former Marine Jack Lupino—showed positive results; the rest suffered hallucinations and insanity. Aesir terminated the project and covered up their involvement. Max Payne learns about the Valkyr project from a video featuring Lupino, who explains that while taking the drug he feels invincible and suffers none of the side effects. Max later interrogates Jason Colvin, Michelle's former supervisor at Aesir, who reveals that Michelle was involved with the development of Valkyr. Jason agrees to testify against his employers, but SWAT officers—Aesir contractors in disguise—raid the office and kill him. B.B. Hensley, Aesir's head of security and a former cop who was ex-partner to Max's father, admits to killing Michelle after she found incriminating evidence. He also confesses to secretly selling Valkyr for personal profit. Max ultimately confronts and kills B.B. on the building's helipad. A post-credits scene shows Max and Mona Sax in a bar, with Mona showing Max a newspaper featuring Aesir CEO Nicole Horne's picture on the front, suggesting renewed purpose.

In Their Own Story

The rain-slicked streets of New York City glistened under the neon glow of a thousand signs. In a penthouse office overlooking the city, Nicole Horne watched the chaos unfold below. Aesir's influence had spread like a cancer, and the Valkyr project was nearing completion. But one man stood in the way—a detective with nothing left to lose. Max Payne had already killed her top lieutenants, and now he was coming for her. She smiled, knowing that the Inner Circle's plans were far from over. Down in the lobby, a janitor mopped blood off the tiles, unaware that the entire building was a ticking bomb.

Reader's Guide

Aesir Corporation is depicted in the 2008 film *Max Payne* as a pharmaceutical manufacturer that developed the drug Valkyr under military contract. The company's headquarters was built as a set for the film, taking eight weeks in pre-production to construct. The outside top half of the building was completely created by CG, by Mr.X, to give it a more high-tech look. The rooftop helipad was built in front of a green screen, with Soho VFX attaching it to the building and setting it atop New York City. The final gunfight inside the Aesir Headquarters took a full week to shoot, using more than 6,000 squibs. CEO Nicole Horne is played by Kate Burton, and head of security B.B. Hensley is played by Beau Bridges. The film's plot revolves around Max Payne uncovering Aesir's conspiracy, including the Valkyr project and the murder of his wife Michelle after she found incriminating evidence.

Did You Know?

• The Aesir Corporation headquarters set took eight weeks to build in pre-production, and the outside top half of the building was entirely CG, created by Mr.X.
• The final gunfight inside Aesir Headquarters required more than 6,000 squibs and took a full week to shoot.
• No location could be found for a rooftop helipad, so a set was built in front of a green screen, with Soho VFX attaching the helipad to the building and setting it atop New York City.
• The film's post-credits scene shows Max and Mona Sax in a bar, with Mona showing Max a newspaper featuring Aesir CEO Nicole Horne's picture on the front.
• Beau Bridges played B.B. Hensley, Aesir's head of security, who admits to killing Max's wife Michelle after she found incriminating evidence.