User blog comment:Godisme/The Shooting Star Project (Zero Mix)/@comment-4006918-20121201223441/@comment-4006918-20121201225027

"I planned Grimmjow to die earlier" sounds to me like Grimmjow still died. At least that's how interpret it.

Checked the interview you posted. Kubo said he might become friend.

I think it's like Ginjou and Tsukishima. Grimmjow died like Kubo said in previous interview, then became shinigami to become friend like Ginjou and Tsuki. It makes sense with both interviews.