Lack of originality in Hollywood? King Solomon said it best: "There is nothing new under the sun."
I think, to some extent, Jaburg has hit the nail on the head. There always seems to be a bit of pragmatism in Hollywood films, i.e. "If it works, go for it!" It's like a cash cow - you milk it until it's dry... and then you milk it some more just to make sure. It's why the Harry Potter films were made. It's why comic properties were bought up like mad after X-Men was released. There'll be another new ship to sail in around the bend once people get tired of these things as well and Hollywood will once again switch it's focus to something else to target "demographic-X".
It's fair to say that movies geared toward teenagers sell better, because teenagers have low-income, minimum wage jobs and aren't required to pay a lot of bills, making them prime targets for merchandising and movie ploys. Why else would you cast Shane West (or even include the character of Tom Sawyer) in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen? Why make Ben Affleck Daredevil? Because teenage girls will go to see them and drag their friends, boyfriends, and parents along.
The same can apply with childrens movies. I remember a friend telling me the genius of making Transformers: The Movie a "PG" film rather than a "G" film. In those days, parents thought nothing of letting their children go to the theatres by themselves to watch movies. However, they'd only be able to get into "G"-rated films. Thus, if you make the film "PG", all those kids'll have to bring their parents, which means more ticket sales. It's a stroke of genius, really.
Hollywood's lack of originality, I feel, stems not from the execs so much as it does the American public. You seem to forget, Soy, that not everyone shares your love of movies that are new and interesting - though many of us here at Rob's very well may. The cold hard truth of the matter is that a vast majority of the American populace would much rather keep seeing TV shows made into movies and films featuring their favorite celebrities and regurgitated plots. And, as long as they're content to keep shelling out their moderately hard-earned money to keep seeing it, I'm sure the "powers-that-be" up in Hollywood will be more than happy to oblige.
