On the plus side I think his script for JLD is still going to be used, well the foundations of it at least.
Perhaps you're friends are right though, maybe it would be wise for Del Toro to swallow his pride and do a couple movies as a gun for hire. I mean I would love to see him direct something from the MCU, DCU or even live action Disney movie. Use them as platforms to get some more exposure which might help boost his original ideas at the box office.
It's too late now but he would of been perfect for the Harry Potter universe. Just look at what Alfonso Cuaron did for The Prisoner of Azkaban.