I am hoping that is just him trying to make people think he is still in control when he isn't. From what I have read he got where he is by playing Hollywood power games and one of the reasons he is off as director is that he was way too pushy and rude to everyone else on the film and no one wanted to work with him. If that is true then it is very likely he is putting up a front.

I don't think paramount is happy with him, if they were why fire him and throw out his script? Also why get rid of his script if he will still have control over the new script. I am hopeful this means new smarter writers are now in charge.