In what appears to be an accidental revelation at D23 2026, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has sparked renewed hope among fans that the beloved 2003 video game The Simpsons: Hit & Run may finally be making a comeback. When asked during a panel discussion whether fans could expect another installment of the cult classic game, Groening responded with what seemed like genuine news: “I think the original game is coming back in some form.” However, current Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman quickly interjected with a pointed “or not,” suggesting that Groening may have jumped the gun on an unannounced project.
The exchange, captured on video and rapidly circulating across social media, has set the gaming and Simpsons fan communities ablaze with speculation. The awkward intervention from Selman, combined with Groening’s confident initial statement, strongly suggests that some form of development may indeed be underway, even if the official announcement was not meant to happen at this particular event. This wouldn’t be the first time a creator has accidentally leaked information about an upcoming project during a live appearance.
The Legacy of a Gaming Classic
The Simpsons: Hit & Run, released in September 2003, remains one of the most fondly remembered licensed video games of its era. Developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Universal Games, the title was essentially a family-friendly take on the open-world action genre popularized by Grand Theft Auto. Players could explore detailed recreations of Springfield, complete missions, collect items, and engage in vehicle-based mayhem without the mature content that characterized Rockstar’s flagship series. The game received strong reviews upon release, with critics praising its authentic humor, voice acting from the original television cast, and its surprisingly deep gameplay mechanics.
The game sold exceptionally well across its original platforms, including PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Windows PC. It captured the irreverent spirit of the animated series perfectly, featuring a storyline involving mysterious black vans, alien conspiracies, and plenty of self-referential humor. For many millennials and early members of Generation Z, Hit & Run represents a significant piece of gaming nostalgia, holding the same cultural weight that classic platformers held for previous generations.
Complex Rights Issues Have Hindered Revival Efforts
One of the primary reasons fans have waited over two decades for any continuation of the Hit & Run franchise lies in the extraordinarily complicated web of intellectual property rights surrounding the game. The original publisher, Vivendi Universal Games, was eventually absorbed into Activision, which itself became part of Microsoft in January 2024 following a landmark $69 billion acquisition. Meanwhile, The Simpsons as a property is owned by 20th Television, which became part of The Walt Disney Company following its acquisition of most 21st Century Fox assets in 2019. This means any revival would potentially require cooperation between two of the largest entertainment conglomerates in the world.
Adding another layer of complexity, developer Radical Entertainment, which had reportedly begun work on a sequel immediately after Hit & Run’s release, saw that project cancelled when Vivendi declined to renew the licensing agreement. Radical continued operating under Activision’s ownership until 2012, when the studio was effectively shuttered following the poor commercial performance of Prototype 2. Any modern revival would therefore require either licensing the original code to a new developer or building a remake from scratch.
Recent Comments Suggested Revival Was Possible
Interestingly, this is not the first time in recent months that those connected to The Simpsons have hinted at a possible Hit & Run revival. As recently as March 2026, showrunner Matt Selman told interviewers to “never say never” when asked about the prospect of more Hit & Run content. At the time, fans interpreted this as a polite way of keeping hope alive without making any concrete promises. In light of Groening’s comments at D23, however, Selman’s earlier statement takes on new significance, potentially indicating that serious discussions have been ongoing behind the scenes.
The gaming industry has seen tremendous success with remakes and remasters of beloved classics in recent years. Titles like Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, and the recent remakes of Resident Evil games have demonstrated that there is substantial commercial appetite for modernized versions of nostalgic properties. A Hit & Run remake or remaster could tap into similar sentiments, appealing both to adults who played the original and younger audiences discovering Springfield’s chaotic streets for the first time.
What Form Might a Revival Take?
Should a Hit & Run revival indeed be in development, fans are already speculating about what form it might take. A straightforward remaster would involve updating the original game’s graphics, perhaps improving frame rates and resolution for modern hardware while keeping the core gameplay intact. A full remake, by contrast, would rebuild the game from the ground up, potentially expanding the world, adding new content, and modernizing gameplay systems that might feel dated by 2026 standards. The most ambitious possibility would be an entirely new sequel, though Groening’s specific mention of “the original game” suggests that a remaster or remake is more likely than a brand-new title.
Whatever the case, the apparent slip at D23 has given Hit & Run fans more concrete reason for optimism than they have had in over twenty years. While official confirmation remains elusive, the combination of Groening’s statement and Selman’s hasty correction suggests that an announcement may be forthcoming. For now, fans of Springfield’s most chaotic driving simulator will have to wait and see whether this tantalizing tease transforms into reality.
Expert Opinion: The convergence of Microsoft’s ownership of the game rights through Activision and Disney’s ownership of The Simpsons brand creates a unique opportunity for collaboration between two entertainment giants increasingly focused on gaming. Given the current industry trend toward nostalgic revivals and the proven commercial success of similar projects, a Hit & Run remake would represent a relatively low-risk, high-reward proposition for both companies. Expect an official announcement within the next six to twelve months, likely timed to coincide with a major gaming event or Disney showcase.
