Any future "Simpsons Movie" couldn't happen without the involvement or approval of Matt Groening, creator of "The Simpsons" and still a hands-on executive producer. Even if the show's regular writers come up with a can't-miss idea for a cinematic follow-up, Groening may be hesitant to give his approval because he found production on the first film to be stressful and all-consuming.

"We got very frustrated," Groening told ScreenRant. "We thought it would take two years, but it ended up taking four. Some day maybe we'll do another one — but don't hold your breath." In a 2013 Q&A at UCLA Law School, Groening explained the big issue was that the movie required the services of the series' crew and that it essentially "stole animators from the show and drained our resources."

At a 2019 appearance at San Diego Comic-Con, Groening floated the distant possibility of the sequel. "We're almost recovered, almost," he said of the first film's production. "No doubt there will be another 'Simpsons' movie one of these days." What's the main reason for Groening's assertion? Well, it's Disney's purchase of "Simpsons" parent company 20th Century Fox in 2019. As Groening put it, "I think Disney wants something for its money."

Interestingly, according to Jeff Sneider's "The InSneider," the "Simpsons" long-time home of Fox — part of the umbrella entertainment corporation now owned by Disney — entered production in 2023 on a new movie in order to help force "The Simpsons Movie 2" into existence. An anonymous source close to the situation reported that Fox ordered the coming-of-age political comedy "Ella McKay" from writer-director James L. Brooks, who's also a longtime executive producer of "The Simpsons." Having done him a favor, Fox may want "The Simpsons 2" in reciprocation.