Dumb, isn't it? There are plenty of stories to tell. A lot of new creatives out there just waiting for their female superhero to see the light of day, but the stupid studio execs are horrified they may lose their Beemers, houses on the hill, and expense accounts if they don't go with a known entity.
This is the next step in remakes. Instead of just remaking them, make the lead character a female and kill two birds with one stone. No, thank you.