Photographer 'over the Moon' with iconic ET recreation two years in the making

Silhouette of boyish character in an anorak straddling a stationary BMX bike with an object in its front basket on a mountainside framed by the full Moon behindMichael Meighan

"We were over the Moon to finally get this one," said Michael Meighan

Nicholas Bourne
BBC Wales

A photographer says he is "over the Moon" after recreating an iconic scene from the movie ET in a photo that has been almost two years in the making.

Michael Meighan and his friend Nathan Edwards have tried repeatedly to recreate the scene from the 1982 hit film, when Elliott's BMX - with ET riding in the basket - flies by the Moon.

The planets finally aligned during last weekend's first full Moon of the year, when plasterer Edwards pushed his bike uphill and into position on Eglwysilan Mountain, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Meanwhile, Meighan watched through his viewfinder from 1.4 miles (2.3km) away on a residential street in Treforest, Pontypridd, while the pair kept in contact by phone - attracting the attention of curious householders.

ET, wrapped in a white blanket, sits in a basket on the front of Elliott's bike as the boy, wearing a bright red hoody, rides along a street with a group of friendsGetty Images | Corbis Historical

Elliott and his friends try to help ET evade capture in Steven Speilberg's movie from 1982

"They came out wondering what was happening when they saw a man with a huge camera lens next to their house," recalled Meighan, 39, from Cardiff.

The care support worker showed them the scene through his camera with Edwards "huffing and puffing" on the other end of the phone while getting into position following a five-minute uphill bike push.

Photograph of a large grey teddy bear attached to a washing basket at the front of a pedal bike. A blue blanket can be seen draped over the teddy's head. The bike is placed inside a kitchen area of a home, shoes can be seen behind it on the wooden floor.Michael Meighan

Edwards used duct tape to secure a teddy bear wrapped in a blanket to make it look like ET was sitting on the front of his own bike

Edwards, 33, from Cwmbran, Torfaen, had fastened into position a plastic wash bowl complete with teddy bear wrapped in a blanket to make it look like ET was sitting on the front of his own bike.

He then stood and waited for his friend to get the shot which they first began planning in 2024.

Meighan said he and Edwards had scouted other locations and attempted the movie recreation scene before by using a phone app to pinpoint their required positions given the expected location of the Moon.

But opportunities for success had been limited with 12 full Moons in a typical year - until they got the perfect weather conditions last Saturday night.

Two photographs of two men edited side by side. Nathan (left) is pictured wearing a black puffer coat with a hood and smiles at the camera. He has brown hair, brown eyes and a brown beard. Snow can be seen on mountains behind him. Michael Meighan (right) looks blankly into a camera. He has blue eyes, a brown goatie beard and brown hair. He wears a navy t-shirt and white brick can be seen in the background. Michael Meighan

Michael Meighan (right) and his friend Nathan Edwards (left) have spent two years trying to recreate the image

"We were over the Moon to finally get this one," said Meighan.

"We've attempted to get this shot a few times.

"The weather has messed us about, [also] not being able to get the alignment due to where the Moon is rising, but it finally came to.

"The actual planning is the hard part. Once it's planned, it's very simple to execute."

They shared a "huge embrace" and celebrated in a nearby pub afterwards.

Meighan paid tribute to the commitment of his friend, as the plan was first discussed following another full Moon photoshoot two years ago.

"He's a fantastic person, a fantastic friend and without him this would not be possible," said Meighan.

"The enthusiasm that he shows and the dedication to grab the bike, drive to a random location and to do that for sake of this image, it's just brilliant."

Related topics

More top stories