Joel Courtney is taking center stage in 40 Dates and 40 Nights, and in a new exclusive interview with Us Weekly, he reflects on making the transition from memorable supporting roles to leading a romantic comedy opposite Bailee Madison.

After winning over audiences as Lee Flynn in Netflix's The Kissing Booth trilogy, Joel now stars as Mason, whose unexpected connection with Leah (Bailee Madison) becomes the emotional heart of 40 Dates and 40 Nights. The film follows Leah as she agrees to go on 40 dates in exchange for a year of free rent, only to discover that love doesn't always follow the plan.

In the interview, Joel credits his experience on The Kissing Booth with preparing him for this next step in his career, saying he learned the rhythms of romantic comedies before finally stepping into the leading role himself. He also praised Bailee Madison as a collaborative scene partner and spoke about the importance of rehearsal in developing the natural chemistry between Mason and Leah.

Joel also discussed working with director Andy Delaney and writer Sarah "Howie" Howard, describing the screenplay as heartfelt and reminiscent of the classic romantic comedies of the early 2000s. He believes audiences are once again embracing stories centered on genuine human connection, making this the perfect moment for a film like 40 Dates and 40 Nights.

40 Dates and 40 Nights opened in select theaters on June 26 and is now available on demand.

You can read the complete Us Weekly interview here.

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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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Photo courtesy of Brainstorm Media.

Spectrum Culture has reviewed 40 Dates and 40 Nights, the romantic comedy starring Joel Courtney, Bailee Madison, and Annie Potts.

The review looks at the film’s familiar romantic comedy setup, with Madison playing Leah, a young woman challenged by her grandmother to go on 40 dates in 40 nights. Joel Courtney plays Mason, the romantic lead who keeps crossing paths with Leah through a series of dating app setups, chance encounters, and classic rom-com complications.

While the review is critical of the film’s reliance on romantic comedy tropes and improbable coincidences, it notes that Joel Courtney and Bailee Madison are “reasonably appealing and likable onscreen.” The article also points to the actors’ long careers, with both Joel and Bailee having worked on screen since childhood.

In 40 Dates and 40 Nights, Mason becomes central to Leah’s dating challenge, appearing as one of her app-arranged dates, a fellow dancer at a club, and a potential marketing client for her toy company. Their repeated run-ins form the backbone of the film’s rom-com structure.

Read Joel Copling’s full review at Spectrum Culture.

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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.

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