 Previous attempts to create a film version of The Simpsons failed due to the lack of a script of appropriate length and production crew members . Eventually , producers James L. Brooks , Matt Groening , Al Jean , Mike Scully , and Richard Sakai began development of the film in 2001 . A writing team consisting of Scully , Jean , Brooks , Groening , George Meyer , David Mirkin , Mike Reiss , John Swartzwelder , Jon Vitti , Ian Maxtone @-@ Graham , and Matt Selman was assembled . They conceived numerous plot ideas , with Groening 's being the one developed into a film . The script was re @-@ written over a hundred times , and this creativity continued after the animation had begun in 2006 . This meant hours of finished material was cut , which included cameo roles from Erin Brockovich , Minnie Driver , Isla Fisher , Kelsey Grammer , and Edward Norton . Hanks and Green Day appeared in the final cut as themselves . 
