Less risk with reboots.There are so many original science fiction novels and stories out there but instead we get reboots or retellings.
Godzilla and other reboots and live action remakes are of familar properties. Previous Godzilla releases did fairly well at the box office. Easy money.
Godzilla
Budget = $160,000,000
Worldwide Box Office receipts = $524,976,069
Kong: Skull Island
Budget = $185,000,000
Worldwide Box Office receipts = $566,652,812
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Budget = $170,000,000
Worldwide Box Office receipts = $386,600,138
Godzilla vs. Kong
Budget = $160,000,000
Worldwide Box Office receipts = $467,863,133
Those #s aren't even factoring in disc sales.
Apple's hoping it will drive a jump in Apple TV+ sub #s