Director Hints at Hailee Steinfeld's Return in Bumblebee-less Transformers 7

During an interview, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts director Steven Caple Jr. has disclosed that a heartwarming scene featuring Hailee Steinfeld's character and a Bumblebee Easter egg was filmed but ultimately didn't make the final cut. After the underwhelming response to Transformers: The Last Knight in 2017, Bumblebee was a fresh start for the franchise, taking the story back to 1987 and introducing Charlie, played by Steinfeld. The latest installment moves on to the mid-1990s, showcasing new human characters and making only a subtle reference to Bumblebee's time with Charlie.

According to director Steven Caple Jr., a deleted scene from Transformers: Rise of the Beasts would have strengthened the connection between the film and its predecessor, Bumblebee. The scene would have featured Bumblebee showcasing a Polaroid photo of himself and his former human companion, further emphasizing their close bond. Caple Jr. revealed that the scene was shot and is likely to be included in the film's deleted scenes. He also expressed his admiration for Hailee Steinfeld, who played the human companion in Bumblebee, and hinted at the possibility of her return in future installments.

How Hailee Steinfeld Could Return In Transformers 8

Bumblebee's success can be attributed to its focus on telling a more intimate story centered around the relationship between Charlie and Bumblebee, resulting in the most compelling human protagonist in the franchise. This choice to prioritize character development over flashy action sequences is what sets Bumblebee apart from the other Transformers movies. With the potential for Charlie to return in future films, especially considering the open-ended conclusion of Rise of the Beasts, fans may get to see her character evolve even further as she faces new challenges alongside the Autobots.

Bumblebee's affection for his past human partner may lead him to reunite with Charlie in Transformers 8, particularly if he requires her mechanical repair skills after sustaining injuries. Alternatively, with the G.I. Joe nod in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, it's conceivable that Charlie has already been enlisted by the organization as a mechanical consultant. The future direction of the franchise is uncertain; nevertheless, Charlie is undoubtedly worthy of a return.