I don't get it. He executive produces a lot of things.
Not with the Coens. And even if they are not exactly what you would call independent filmmakers, that's and odd affiliation.
It isn't odd at all. He's clearly just involved in a back end deal somewhere down the line. It isn't remotely unusual and you only spotted it because of your strange complete dislike for the man. He is unlikely to have any involvement in the actual production, yet you're looking at it as an artistic decision.
He has also been involved on a few of Clint Eastwood's, again, without creative input. And he and George Lucas famously bankrolled Akira Kurosawa's Ran. I think it was Ran anyway, without checking. May have been Kagemusha, but my point is, he is heavily involved in all aspects of the industry.