* Creative Direction: Pixar is known for its innovative storytelling. While "Finding Nemo" was a huge success, the filmmakers felt they had told a complete story with a strong emotional arc. They might not have seen a clear and compelling way to continue Nemo's journey that wouldn't feel repetitive or forced.
* Thematic Focus: Pixar often chooses projects based on themes they want to explore. "Toy Story 3" dealt with the challenges of growing up and letting go, while "Cars 2" explored themes of international espionage and family. These themes might have been more appealing to Pixar's creative team than revisiting the "Finding Nemo" universe.
* Financial Success: "Toy Story" and "Cars" were both incredibly successful franchises. Pixar knew they had strong audiences for these characters and that sequels would be well-received.
* Timing: The release dates of "Toy Story 3" and "Cars 2" were strategically chosen to maximize their impact and appeal to different demographics.
While we never got a direct sequel to "Finding Nemo," the story was continued in the 2016 film "Finding Dory," which focused on Dory's own journey to find her family. This allowed Pixar to explore new themes and characters while still offering a satisfying experience for fans of the original movie.
Ultimately, Pixar's decision to focus on other projects instead of making a direct sequel to "Finding Nemo" was likely based on a combination of factors, including creative vision, financial success, and the desire to explore new stories and characters.