Writer-director James Cameron actually wanted the Terminator story to be wrapped up neatly. In this version we see Sarah Connor in the future as an old woman, watching her son, John, and granddaughter play (this is the alternate ending). But Cameron was convinced by producer Mario Kassar (as well as a test screening) to leave the film open-ended and a little more dark, matching with the tone of the rest of the film.
Source link
