Actress Rebel Wilson will seek $7 million in damages for a series of defamatory magazine articles depicting her as a serial liar, the Melbourne Supreme Court has heard.

Wilson's lawyer, Dr Matthew Collins QC, said the figure was a "particularly conservative one", given she could have made up to $18 million from a number of film roles if the articles had not damaged her career.

"A star like Rebel Wilson who moves to be a multi-million-dollar actress, could reasonably not have expected to have had the hiatus in her career that she's had," he said.

Wilson is seeking $5.89 million in special damages and $1.2 million in general damages.

Dr Collins said the articles had spread instantaneously along the film industry grapevine in the United States and she was branded a phoney and a fake.

Wilson sued Bauer Media over eight articles that appeared in Woman's Day, Women's Weekly, OK Magazine and New Weekly in 2015.

The articles said the 37-year-old Australian actress had publicly lied about her age, real name and upbringing, and alleged she had added a "touch of Hollywood" to her backstory.

Wilson won her case after a jury found they had damaged her career by depicting her as a serial liar, causing her to miss out on big Hollywood roles.

Hollywood agent and producer Peter Principato testified via video link as an expert witness.

He said Wilson should have received a minimum two movie offers after her success in the film Pitch Perfect 2, and would have commanded about $6 million for each film.

"Wilson was one of those actresses where every studio was talking about and trying to find projects for [her]," Mr Principato said.

"Major studios and 10 to 15 independent [studios] were all trying to find vehicles for her at that time. Every studio was interested in being in business with her."

Mr Principato said Wilson could have been considered for films like Snatched, which starred Amy Schumer, and Ghostbusters.

He also mentioned the film Bad Moms, which Wilson had in fact turned down.

"Like in the movie Snatched, that was Amy's second movie after Trainwreck, so she could have been paid $2 million to $3 million," he told the court.

"But if the studio wanted Rebel, she could have been paid $5 million to $6 million, she would have commanded more. It's not about how much Amy got paid, it's about how much Rebel would have been paid."

Wilson 'emotionally shattered' after articles

Damages for non-economic losses in Victorian defamation cases, such as emotional suffering, are capped at $389,500.

But special damages, including loss of earnings, are uncapped.

Hollywood agent Peter Principato said Wilson could have expected a number of lead roles. ( Instagram: princepeterpato )

Dr Collins said there was a degree of guesswork in finding the right figure for the damages payout.

He said when the articles were published in 2015 Wilson was at the height of her career after the success of Pitch Perfect 2.

"She is a well-known actress and comedian and had an impeccable reputation of honesty," he said.

"She had worked tirelessly over 17 years and these eight articles were a calculated attack.

"The articles branded a hardworking and authentic Australian actress a serial liar in order to make it in Hollywood. She was branded a phoney and a fake.

"[Her] reaction to articles was one of devastation. She was shattered emotionally and suffered financial impact."

Bauer articles a 'malicious, deliberate take-down'

In a much publicised three-week trial Wilson made jokes, rapped an Academy Award acceptance speech she claims to have hallucinated years earlier, and broke down in tears several times.

The actress also repeated assertions she was distantly related to Walt Disney.

Rebel Wilson say she felt she had to take a stand against the articles. ( AAP: Julian Smith )

Wilson told the court the articles were a "malicious, deliberate take-down" and published to coincide with the release of her biggest movie role to date.

She alleged they resulted in her being sacked from DreamWorks animated feature films Trolls and Kung Fu Panda 3 for being "too divisive", and she subsequently had to beg to work for free.

During the hearings, Bauer Media denied the articles damaged Wilson's reputation and argued they were based in fact.

Since May 2015 when the articles were published, Wilson has had a cameo role in the Absolutely Fabulous movie and played a lead in the stage production of Guys and Dolls.

She has also finished filming Pitch Perfect 3, which is due to be released at the end of the year.