An initial investigation into accusations against Depardieu, 72, was dropped for lack of evidence but later reopened, leading to criminal charges filed in December.

He was initially accused of assaulting and raping an actress in her 20s at his Paris home in August 2018, a judicial source told AFP on Tuesday.

According to a source close to the case, Depardieu is a friend of the actress’s family.

Depardieu’s lawyer, Herve Temime, told the publication that the actor, who is free but under judicial supervision, ‘completely rejects the accusations’.

He added: ‘I had a long meeting with Gerard and am convinced his innocence will be established.’

The star has appeared in a number of films and has received acclaim for his performances in The Last Metro (1980), for which he won the César Award for Best Actor.

Depardieu ‘completely rejects the accusations’

Depardieu’s appearance in Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) won him the Cannes Film Festival for best actor, his second César Award, and his first Academy Award nomination in the same category.

He co-starred in Peter Weir’s comedy Green Card (1991), winning a Golden Globe Award and later acted in many big budget Hollywood movies including Ridley Scott’s 1492: Conquest of Paradise and Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet.

In 2013, Depardieu became a Russian citizen after befriending President Vladimir Putin.