Because it's been sullied beyond repair, thanks to Remington.
What might work for five or ten million dollars would be JUST a custom shop, making Marlins and Remlins into what they should have been before they got out the door, with an emphasis on quality work, custom stocks, hand-cut checkering, and guns chambered in whatever reasonable calibers the customer wanted. There are a lot of weird people (like me) that would pay handsomely for an 1894 chambered in oh, I don't know, maybe 256 Winchester Magnum, which would only involve a barrel swap, the standard 1894C would not need anything else. Part of the romance of the levergun is the older and "obsolete" calibers they are capable of handling, and even some newer calibers with moderate pressure ceilings. Think of the possibilities........different chamberings, with the option of an octagonal barrel, or semi-octagon, special sights, there would be a lengthy list of options. Prices would be typical of custom work, maybe less, but a lot of folks would love to be able to have those options available!
There is always a desire for things like 356's, 358's, 40-65's, you name it. The basic design mandates a realistic pressure ceiling of 40,000 CUP or so, unless certain parts are beefed up, and once you get into the bigger bore sizes, the margin of safety diminishes. But how many people would love to see a Marlin in .327 Federal (a modernized 32-20, if you will) or a 7-30 Waters, 38-40, 44-40, maybe even 10mm.
I know, I'm dreaming. I've begged, whined and rambled about a Marlin Custom shop since the days of Marlin Talk, a dozen years ago. But I still think there's a market for such a thing, and I know Marlin shooters would be willing to shell out the bucks to get exactly what they want, if only it was available.
I still want an 1894 in .256 WM, and if I live long enough, I might eventually have it done, just because the world needs more innovation and a place for dreamers like me to plant our fantasies.
So you can stop dragging me back to the real world.............I don't like it here!