Why Make Terminator 4 PG-13?

According to Filmstalker (and other sites) the producers of Terminator 4, otherwise known as Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins are looking to get a PG-13 rating for the latest installment in the Terminator franchise.

While there's some waffle about PG-13 now being more intense, it's pretty clear that the real reason involves merchandising. Movie studios make a lot of their money from toys these days and guess who buys most of those toys?
Image via Wikipedia
From a business standpoint this makes perfect sense to me. But as a fan (at least of the first two movies), I have to think this will hurt the movie itself. Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins is currently filming with a scheduled 2009 release date. Directed by McG from a script by John D. Brancato & Michael Ferris (screenplay), the movie opens after Skynet has destroyed most of humanity and centers on John Connor (played by Christian Bale) as he resists the machines.

Watch the original Terminator movie again and tell me that would have been better cut for PG-13. The whole tone of the series is adult. For that matter, tell me what element of this story is particularly suited to kids.

I try to take a positive approach and not pre-judge projects, but this news definitely reduced my enthusiasm for another Terminator movie.

Link: Filmstalker - Terminator 4 To Be Child Friendly