Updated May 19, 2017 17:04:19

Australian Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson has returned from the United States for a defamation trial against a magazine publisher which ran a series of articles allegedly insinuating she is a "serial liar".

Wilson made her first appearance in the Victorian Supreme Court today as she sues Bauer Media over articles published in Woman's Day, Women's Weekly, New Weekly and OK magazine.

According to court documents, Wilson claims the articles insinuated she is a "serial liar who has invented fantastic stories in order to make it in Hollywood" and have cost her movie roles.

The articles included claims the actress had lied publicly about her age, her name and several aspects of her upbringing.

Outside court, Wilson said she was not able to comment until after giving evidence next week.

"Unfortunately the judge said that I can't say anything until I start giving my evidence on Monday, which is not that long to wait so you'll hear everything I have to say," she said.

"I just think it's really important that the truth comes out."

"I'm excited to get started with it."

She said she had not been able to audition for any movies for the past year to make sure she was available to give evidence in the trial.

Wilson was not contacted before the articles were published, coinciding with the release of the movie Pitch Perfect 2 in which she had a lead role, according to the writ.

Bauer Media denies the articles were defamatory or that they cost Wilson movie roles.

The actress used to live in Melbourne and said she was happy to be back in the city.

"It's my Grandpa's 90th birthday as well this coming weekend so I'm kind of doing double duty in a way," she said.

Topics: courts-and-trials, arts-and-entertainment, print-media, media, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted May 19, 2017 15:50:44