I dont quite agree with you there. Yes this might be a stunt marketing wise, but it wouldn't require that much money and it certainly wouldn't be stupid business wise (comparing with development of such an aircraft from the scratch).
124 is a proven platform, it flies nice, it can do the job good and it doesn't have a competitor (which makes it the winner any case you cut it).
With the new technologies that Boeing acquired while working on 787 and 747-8 (I'm targeting composite wing, avionics and engines) This would corner the market and it would open up the way towards civilian bulky cargo operations.
Now if the Air force wants to buy few of it than this just makes the business case stronger.
Yes I agree with you all that this is little bit wired, but hey that's why it can be a total winner.
Anyhow lets speculate a little bit on new engines, new wing, winglets, CFRP skin and control surfaces, new avionics and lets see where it gets us.
Regards to everybody!