Some of the thinking appears to be "let's create something that both kids and their parents can relate to" ... this may have started with Popeye (1980 starring

Some of the thinking appears to be "let's create something that both kids and their parents can relate to" ... this may have started with Popeye (1980 starring Robin Williams) but remaking cartoons or comics into live action TV had started earlier, since at least the 1960s with Batman. Then there are the familiar story reboots. The Jazz Singer has had multiple remakes since the 1920s (and we're overdue for another one). A Christmas Carol has been redone even more.