Although even I'm surprised he didn't just say, "It's done." I think GRRM is under the impression that KING KONG is still a ubiquitous cultural touchstone and that everyone knows the famous quotes from it, and of course a lot of people have never seen any version of it, even the newest one.

So yeah, the announcement could and probably should have been clearer. Though it's oddly appropriate that ADWD couldn't be steered into port without one last controversial shot across the bows.