The word was that he was uncooperative when Prometheus and James Fitzpatrick were considering their recording of QUO VADIS, necessitating the reconstruction of the score.  The results were splendid, as we all know, but the extra expense of such reconstructions is apt to dissuade some who might be sitting on the fence as to whether a project is worth the time and expense.   

If true, one can only wonder, as you say, what Nick's motivation is.