Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (also known as Batman of the Future: Return of the Joker outside of the United States, The Return of the Joker, Batman Beyond: The Movie or The Batman Beyond Movie in the working title) is a 2000 American direct-to-video animated superhero mystery film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. It is the third film in the DC Animated Universe and is based on the animated series Batman Beyond while also serving as a continuation of and resolving plot points from The New Batman Adventures. Return of the Joker features the DC Comics superheroes Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy) and Terry McGinnis (Will Friedle), as they try to unravel the mysterious return of the former's archenemy, the Joker (Mark Hamill). Following the Columbine High School massacre, the film received heavy edits that delayed its release from a Halloween 2000 to December 12, 2000. An uncut version was subsequently released on DVD in 2002, to generally positive reviews. The film takes place during the third and final season of Batman Beyond. Plot A new faction of the Jokerz gang—consisting of Bonk, Woof, Ghoul, Chucko and the Dee-Dee twins—attempts to steal high-tech electronic equipment, but they are intercepted by Batman (Terry McGinnis), the protégé of Bruce Wayne. The gang reports back to their leader, revealed to be the Joker, who was Bruce's nemesis and has mysteriously reappeared in Gotham following his presumed death years ago. The Joker kills Bonk for defiance and to intimidate the other members. Later, the Jokerz attack a press conference commemorating Bruce's return to Wayne Enterprises and the Joker reveals himself to Bruce, who insists that it cannot be him despite evidence to the contrary. After fending off the attack, Terry demands information from Bruce and Gotham City Police Department's Commissioner Barbara Gordon, the former Batgirl, but neither gives him answers. Eventually, Bruce orders Terry to return the Batsuit so he can investigate and confront the Joker on his own despite the limitations of his age. However, the Jokerz attack Terry, nearly killing his girlfriend Dana Tan, while the Joker poisons Bruce and his Great Dane, Ace—revealing he knows Bruce was Batman and that Terry is his successor. After Terry saves Bruce's life with an antidote, Barbara finally explains the Joker's disappearance albeit reluctantly; Four decades ago, sometime following Dick Grayson's departure from Gotham City to Blüdhaven, the