Joel Courtney recently spoke with UPI about 40 Dates and 40 Nights, the new romantic comedy starring Joel Courtney and Bailee Madison.

In the film, Bailee Madison plays Leah, a single woman who accepts an unusual offer from her grandmother Gigi, played by Annie Potts: go on 40 dates, and if none of them work out, Gigi will pay Leah’s rent for a year.

Joel Courtney plays Mason, Leah’s date No. 20. Their connection starts with tension after an awkward earlier encounter, but Joel told UPI that the bickering between Mason and Leah helps show the strength of their chemistry. What begins as frustration can become something much deeper when the emotional energy turns in a more honest direction.

The interview gives fans a closer look at Joel’s approach to the romantic comedy, including why the feuding between Mason and Leah was fun to play and why their relationship needed a full emotional arc. Joel also talked about the film’s lighter tone, the challenge of modern dating, and the way 40 Dates and 40 Nights explores connection, empathy, and growth.

40 Dates and 40 Nights is directed by Andy Delaney and written by Sarah “Howie” Howard. The cast includes Bailee Madison, Joel Courtney, Jack Schumacher, Luxy Banner, Eric Nelsen, Jai Rodriguez, and Annie Potts.

The film opened in select theaters on June 26 and arrived on digital video-on-demand on June 30.

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Joel Courtney recently joined director Andy Delaney for a new Moviefone interview about their romantic comedy 40 Dates and 40 Nights, which opened in theaters on June 26 and becomes available On Demand June 30.

The film stars Bailee Madison as Leah Jones, a struggling romantic who accepts a wager from her aunt, played by Annie Potts: go on 40 dates in 40 nights to find true love. Joel Courtney stars as Mason, opposite Madison in a story built around romance, comedy, friendship, and the messy search for connection.

In the interview, Joel talked about his first reaction to the screenplay and how he approached playing Mason. He described reading the script first as both an actor and a fan, looking for whether the story pulled him in and kept him turning the pages. For Joel, the humor and heart of Sarah Howard’s script gave him room to discover Mason scene by scene.

Joel also discussed building Mason and Leah’s relationship on screen with Bailee Madison. The two had known each other casually before filming, and Joel said that working together on set in Houston came together naturally. He credited Madison’s talent and collaboration, along with Delaney’s direction, for giving the cast room to play, explore, and find authentic moments between the characters.

Director Andy Delaney praised the casting of Joel Courtney and Bailee Madison, saying the production “struck gold” with the two leads. The movie also features Luxy Banner, Jai Rodriguez, and Annie Potts, adding a mix of romantic comedy energy and veteran screen presence to the ensemble.

Fans can read the full Moviefone interview for more from Joel Courtney and Andy Delaney on the making of 40 Dates and 40 Nights, including Joel’s thoughts on Mason, working with Bailee Madison, and finding the right chemistry for the film.

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Joel Courtney recently joined Popternative to talk about his new romantic comedy 40 Dates and 40 Nights, starring alongside Bailee Madison.

In the interview, Joel discusses how he approaches each role as its own story while still bringing a developed acting process to the work. He also talks about finding the heart of Mason, his character in 40 Dates and 40 Nights, and why grounded comedy works best when audiences can laugh with the characters while still caring about what they are going through.

40 Dates and 40 Nights follows Leah, played by Bailee Madison, who accepts her grandmother’s unusual challenge: 40 dates in 40 nights in exchange for a full year of rent. Along the way, awkward dates, unexpected sparks, and honest self-reflection force her to confront what may really be standing in the way of love.

The film stars Bailee Madison, Joel Courtney, Jack Schumacher, Luxy Banner, Eric Nelsen, Jai Rodriguez, and Annie Potts. It is directed by Andy Delaney and written by Sarah “Howie” Howard.

40 Dates and 40 Nights released in select theaters on June 26 and arrives On Demand on June 30.

Watch the short Joel-focused interview clip above, then continue below for the complete Popternative conversation with Joel Courtney and director Andy Delaney.

Follow Joel Courtney on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.