Terminator 2: Judgment Day is one of the best Arnold Schwarzenegger movies of all time. The science-fiction tale has over the years become a cult classic, drawing a new generation of audience every year. Starring as T-800, it was also this role that helped Schwarzenegger climb the mountain of fame and acclaim and become a Hollywood star.
Starring as the android in 5 of the 6 movies released, the future for Schwarzenegger’s Terminator franchise would have been vastly different had the original ending for Judgment Day been released. Featuring Linda Hamilton, the ending would have effectively ended the franchise, yet fans reckon it would have been perfect.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day’s Alternate Ending
Terminator 2 is one of the best movies of all time as far as the Terminator franchise is concerned. Not only did it elaborate on the character dynamics of the first movie, but the tale was even more intriguing and interesting to watch, making the film a critical and commercial blockbuster with a worldwide gross of $520 million (via Box Office Mojo).
In the theatrical release, Sarah and John Connor end up defeating T-1000 and are also forced to kill Model 101 to prevent Skynet from rising once again. As John bids the Terminator farewell, the camera cuts to the two traveling through a desolate road and Sarah’s voice can be heard saying that she has hope despite the unknown future rolling towards them.
However, the original ending by James Cameron was more hopeful. In the original ending, after Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s T-800 meets his end, the camera cuts to the future. In the scene, an elderly Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton, can be seen sitting in the park while John is playing with his daughter. Sarah reminisces about the past and reveals There was no Judgment day and that John is now a US Senator.
With no dread of a nuclear holocaust, the ending looked too utopian and blissful compared to the rest of the movie. It also gives hope and a happier ending, which certainly does not fit into the Terminator narrative.
Terminator 2 Alternate Ending Would Have Changed The Entire Franchise
The Terminator franchise has expanded, yet none of the movies have been as well received and revered as Judgment Day. However, that all would have changed and Arnold Schwarzenegger might have never returned as the fan-favorite android had the alternate ending of the second movie been kept in the theatrical release.
The alternate ending was way too hopeful and positive for the franchise, but it also gave the franchise a definite end by showcasing the blissful future that took place with the deaths of the two androids. Had the original end been kept in the movie, the chances of future movies would have been greatly reduced since a nuclear holocaust never happened, and Sarah and John Connor appeared to be living peacefully,
Even though alternate timelines or a few tweaks would have made future movies possible, none of the methods would have been as effective as changing the ending to a more ambiguous one. And so this was also the reason the production asked Cameron to change it (via Den of Geek).
Terminator 2: Judgment Day can be streamed on Paramount+.
