As I ponder what makes various geeky media ventures succeed (I ponder a lot), I think one of the factors is what I've tentatively christen being "Socializable"
Video, Film, and Television
A World Of Elseworlds
We're in an age of remakes, sequels, and one-offs based on existing properties, mostly Superheroes. I hear talk of an "originless" Fantastic Four film, and if you're a fan of DC comics I've seen a lot of direct-to-video films. None of these involve the usual origins stories as their known to their target audience. Many of them don't exactly involve a continuity of much kinds except well-known tropes and character backgrounds.
Years ago DC comics started doing things called "Elseworlds" – books of alternate ideas, histories, pasts, and futures of various characters. These Elseworlds series mixed familiar and unfamiliar elements, and for my money, were often fascinating. Batman as a priest fighting a corrupt theocracy? A sword-and-sorcery Justice League? Sign me up.
I think some of our beloved figures are entering an age of "mild" Elseworlds.
What The World Needs Now Is Thor
What the world needs now is a hunky Asgardian beating the crap out of people with a hammer.
Ok, actually this is what Superhero films and the superhero genre need. After seeing the previews for the Thor movie, I'm not only enthused about it, I think the film has the chance to get Superhero movies out of a rut.
There have been many Superhero films over the last few decades. Many have been quite good and artistic, often with excellent actors. Chistopher Reeve's Superman was excellent (and a fun film). Nolan's Batman was dark and noirish and well-done. The Rami Spiderman films were pretty good (early on at least) and had excellent casting – I'd in fact say Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus was amazing. There's a lot of good stuff out there.
It's just it always seems to be the same stuff, over and over.