Jean Potts is the village potter and husband of Mrs. Potts and the father of Chip Potts in Disney's 2017 live-action adaption movie of Beauty and the Beast.
Role in the film[]
Because of the Enchantress' curse on the Beast's Castle, Jean's memories of the Prince and his servants, along with the memories of the rest of the villagers, were erased, making him forget his wife and son. He lives alone in the village working as a potter.
Jean is first seen in the village asking Belle about where she's headed, and responds that the book she has read sounds boring after she tells him what it's about. Before that question, it appeared that Jean is one of the few people who is friendly towards Belle and doesn't talk about her behind her back like the other villagers. Belle as well seems to enjoy him, even asking in concern if he had lost something again and laughed in amusement of his inability to remember what he had lost, though not in a malicious way.
Jean is then later seen in the tavern when LeFou is trying to cheer up Gaston after Belle rejected his proposal. He witnesses Maurice's claims about the Beast, and like the rest of the town, believes him to be crazy. However, Belle returns and proves her father's sanity by revealing the Beast's existence with a magic mirror, which made all the villagers (including Jean) realize that Maurice was telling the truth.
However, Gaston tricks Jean and the villagers into participating in the attack on Beast's castle by lying that the Beast is a threat. Jean obviously fell for it and during the battle, he strangely recognizes Mrs. Potts. Once the curse is lifted following Gaston's death, Jean's memory is restored and he is reunited with his wife and son, finally realizing the true events. He is last seen happily dancing with his wife during a grand ball hosted by Belle and the Beast (who has turned back into the Prince).
Printed media[]
In As Old as Time, he was named Alaric Potts and was a stablemaster and an old friend of Maurice. He also tried to help magic users out of trouble. He eventually married Mrs. Potts and had Chip Potts with her, but he was murdered and buried in the stables. His body was discovered by Belle and the Beast a decade later and they had a funeral for him with all the enchanted staff members present. He was buried near the Beast's parents in the royal cemetery. Belle wondered what he would have turned into if he was alive during the Enchantress's curse.
Trivia[]
- His appearance during the song "Belle" replaces Belle's conversation with the baker in the original film, despite the baker making an appearance right before Mr. Potts is first seen.
- Like Sir Francis Tremaine, in Disney's 2015 live-action adaptation of Cinderella, he is revealed to be the previously unknown spouse of a main character. However, he is still alive during the events of his film while Sir Francis dies in Cinderella.
- The film novelization indicates that it is his mule that Belle uses to help with her laundry.
Gallery[]
