Harley-Davidson, Marvel Join Forces in National Search for Real-Life Fan to Star in New Digital Franchise

MILWAUKEE, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Harley-Davidson and Marvel Entertainment, LLC, have teamed up once again to defend freedom and tame explosive city streets in – and beyond – the popular film franchise, Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Since the early days of Captain America, he has been associated with Harley-Davidson, and the latest chapter of the film saga is no different as the Super Hero now revs up a brand new Harley-Davidson Street 750.

To unite fans of both brands, Harley-Davidson is seeking candidates to join Captain America as "Agent 1" and star in a brand-new digital franchise, which will introduce a new chapter of action, including a group of characters created by Marvel's Custom Division exclusively for Harley, and feature the new Harley-Davidson Street 750. The mini-movie and digital comic will debut in Marvel and Harley-Davidson online and social channels this summer.

"Our collaboration with Marvel puts fans directly into the center of the action like never before," said Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson U.S. Director of Marketing. "Starring as the hero in this new chapter with Marvel is not only the new Street 750 – but a real-life fan as well. The Street's features are right in line with the authenticity, toughness, action and individualism for which Captain America is known and revered by fans around the world, and sourcing our new hero directly from that pool is equally as real and authentic."

Digital Casting Call

To enter the Harley-Davidson Captain America: The Winter Soldier online contest, special agent hopefuls are invited to complete an online skills assessment and select a custom bike of their choice at www.h-d.com/marvel. After completing the assessment, each candidate receives a badge and special promotional offer. Legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter now through April 30.

One grand prize winner will not only land the role as the eponymous "Agent 1," they also will rule the streets with a brand new custom Harley-Davidson Street 750 motorcycle and a rider training course, including a stunt riding lesson with Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier stunt rider Riley Harper.

The Street 750 and Street 500 from Harley-Davidson, the latest additions to Harley-Davidson's Dark Custom line-up, feature the all-new liquid-cooled Revolution X™ engine, housed in a narrow and lean chassis built for agility. New suspension and a broad handlebar sweep provide the confidence and maneuverability you need when managing tight turns and fast moves in defense – or pursuit of – freedom. It also has the premium, minimalist Dark Custom style that serves as a blank canvas for riders to customize.

About Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier

After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off assailants sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1941, Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier is produced by Kevin Feige, p.g.a., directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, from a screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, and stars Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp and Hayley Atwell, with Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is presented by Marvel Studios. The executive producers are Louis D'Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee. The film set a new record for the all-time biggest April opening weekend with $95 million at the domestic box office upon its release on April 4, 2014. It is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit marvel.com.  © MARVEL

About Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson® motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's website at www.h-d.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/73268
Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/73290-FreezerBurn_NoSlate.mp4

SOURCE Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Marvel Entertainment, LLC