Imagine dedicating nearly two years to capturing a single photograph—a recreation of one of cinema's most iconic scenes. That's exactly what photographer Michael Meighan and his friend Nathan Edwards did, and the result has left them overjoyed. But here's where it gets fascinating: their journey to recreate the famous ET moonlit bike scene was anything but straightforward. And this is the part most people miss: it took meticulous planning, multiple failed attempts, and a dash of luck with the weather to finally align the stars—or rather, the Moon—for their perfect shot.
The scene in question? The unforgettable moment from the 1982 classic ET the Extra-Terrestrial, where Elliott’s BMX bike, with ET in the basket, soars past a glowing Moon. Meighan and Edwards, both from Wales, had been dreaming of this recreation since 2022, but executing it proved to be a test of patience and perseverance. Their breakthrough came during last weekend’s first full Moon of the year, when Edwards, a plasterer by trade, pushed his bike uphill on Eglwysilan Mountain in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Meanwhile, Meighan, stationed 1.4 miles (2.3km) away on a residential street in Treforest, Pontypridd, framed the shot through his viewfinder. The duo stayed in touch via phone, drawing curious glances from locals who couldn’t help but wonder what the man with the massive camera lens was up to.
But here’s the controversial part: while some might see this as a fun hobby, others might question the time and effort invested in recreating a single movie scene. Is it art? Obsession? Or just a labor of love? Meighan, a 39-year-old care support worker from Cardiff, shared how he explained the project to intrigued neighbors, even showing them the setup through his camera as Edwards huffed and puffed into position after a grueling five-minute uphill bike push.
Edwards, 33, from Cwmbran, Torfaen, played a crucial role in bringing the scene to life. He fastened a plastic wash bowl to his bike, complete with a teddy bear wrapped in a blanket to mimic ET, and stood ready for Meighan’s shot. Their planning involved scouting locations and using a phone app to pinpoint the exact alignment of the Moon—a task made more challenging by the limited opportunities each year. With only 12 full Moons annually and unpredictable weather, success seemed elusive until last Saturday night, when everything finally fell into place.
“We were over the Moon to finally get this one,” Meighan said, pun intended. “The actual planning is the hard part. Once it’s planned, it’s very simple to execute.” Their celebration? A huge embrace and a well-deserved trip to a nearby pub.
Meighan didn’t hesitate to praise Edwards’s dedication. “He’s a fantastic person, a fantastic friend, and without him, this would not be possible,” he said. “His enthusiasm and willingness to grab the bike, drive to a random location, and do it all for the sake of this image—it’s just brilliant.”
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: In a world where instant gratification is the norm, does such a time-consuming and detail-oriented project still hold value? Or is it a relic of a bygone era? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this labor of love and whether you’d ever embark on a similar creative journey.
