Groening Confirms Hit & Run Revival in Awkward Slip

At a D23 fan panel over the weekend, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening was asked if the cult-classic game The Simpsons: Hit & Run could get a sequel. His answer sent shockwaves through the fandom: "I don't know if I'm speaking out of turn, I think the original game is coming back in some form." Current showrunner Matt Selman, who co-wrote the 2003 game, immediately jumped in with "…or not" in a clear attempt to walk the comment back according to The Verge. The exchange, complete with awkward laughter and a quick subject change, felt like a classic celebrity slip.

So what did Groening accidentally confirm? And why would a simple re-release of a 23-year-old licensed game cause such a frenzy?

Why Did One Offhand Comment Spark A Massive Fan Reaction?

The immediate online eruption proves this wasn't just a harmless maybe. Groening isn't a random executive, he's the franchise's creator. When he says "the original game is coming back," it carries immense weight.

Observers noted the tone and body language at the panel. A report from VGC describes Selman's "or not" as a "comedic interjection" meant to de-escalate, followed by Groening quickly pivoting to an unrelated anecdote. This pattern, a specific claim, a hasty correction, an abrupt topic shift, is the hallmark of an unintentional reveal, not unlike a Forbes editor being fired over a secret $6 million payment.

The reaction underscores a critical point: this isn't about vague hope. It's about a high-profile source pointing to a concrete development. Fans have been clamoring for a modern way to play Hit & Run for years, and a remaster would be a guaranteed commercial hit. As Selman himself noted in a separate interview earlier this year, the team knows "people love it" and fans should "never say never" to a revival.

What Makes A 2003 Licensed Game A 'Cult Classic'?

Not all old games are remembered fondly, especially licensed titles. The Simpsons: Hit & Run, released in 2003 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, transcended its era. It was Springfield's take on Grand Theft Auto, blending open-world driving with the show's signature humor and a fully voiced original story. IGN's original 8.1/10 review called it "undeniably the perfect game for Simpsons fans."

Its enduring status is tied directly to its current inaccessibility. The game is not available on modern consoles. It's absent from the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog and Xbox backward compatibility lists. Playing it requires hunting down old hardware or navigating PC workarounds. This scarcity has fueled demand, transforming it from a fondly remembered product into a white whale.

The game's unique development history adds to the lore. A planned sequel, Hit & Run 2, was in development at Radical Entertainment before publisher Vivendi Universal turned down a deal for more Simpsons games in the mid-2000s, killing the project. That unfinished business has lingered for decades.

What Does "Coming Back In Some Form" Actually Mean?

Groening's phrasing is the biggest clue. He specified "the original game is coming back." This strongly points toward a re-release, remaster, or remake, not a brand-new sequel.

The most logical path is a remaster. The original developer, Radical Entertainment, effectively dissolved but was recently reborn as New Radical Games, a studio whose stated focus is "reimagining beloved classics." Their website prominently features art from The Simpsons: Hit & Run. The pieces fit: a studio specializing in revivals working on its most famous title.

"I don't know if I'm speaking out of turn, I think the original game is coming back in some form." , Matt Groening at D23 2026

A direct, bare-bones port is possible but less likely given modern expectations for trophies/achievements and higher resolutions. A full remake would be a larger, riskier endeavor. A remaster hits the sweet spot: updating the visuals and controls for modern platforms while preserving the beloved original content. As The Verge's analysis notes, they "wouldn't even need to rerecord the voice acting since the original cast absolutely nailed it the first time around."

The rights situation is complex, involving Disney (which now owns The Simpsons), the legacy of Vivendi and Radical, and a potential publisher. But Groening's comment suggests those hurdles are being, or have been, cleared—a massive undertaking not unlike Ford's multi-billion dollar factory flip to rescue its EV future.

What Should Fans Watch For Next?

Selman's panicked "or not" tells us this wasn't the planned announcement. Therefore, an official reveal is now a matter of when, not if.

Watch for official announcements from Disney, New Radical Games, or a potential publishing partner like Xbox or PlayStation. The news could surface on a gaming showcase or a dedicated Simpsons event. As we've seen with other long-awaited revivals, ratings board listings (like from the ESRB or PEGI) often leak before the official word.

Manage expectations. A remaster is the most probable outcome based on the language and the developer's new focus. It won't be a completely new game, but it will make a legendary title playable on the hardware you own today. For an industry that often revisits classics, this is one return that has been long overdue.

Until then, Groening's slip is the strongest signal in over two decades that the citizens of Springfield are finally getting back behind the wheel. The showrunner's hasty correction only makes the eventual confirmation more certain. The next move is up to the publishers.

Key Takeaways

• The accidental reveal by creator Matt Groening suggests a concrete revival of a beloved game, making it more substantial than typical fan rumors.
• A re-release or remaster would provide a modern, accessible way to play a highly requested cult classic that has no official digital distribution.
• The renewed interest and guaranteed commercial success of such a revival showcase the enduring value of nostalgic, well-regarded licensed content in the gaming market, similar to how Mia Goth's iconic horror role continues to find new audiences.