French actor Gerard Depardieu fails to have rape case thrown out

Gerard Depardieu is one of France's most famous actors - known for his roles as Cyrano de Bergerac and Obelix among others. Photo: AFP

A French court has thrown out Gérard Depardieu's attempt to stop a probe into rape accusations against the actor.

There is serious or consistent circumstantial evidence that justifies continuing the investigation against the 73-year-old, prosecutor general Remy Heitz announced on Thursday (March 10).