Documents lodged in the Supreme Court, as part of a battle between Mr Kestelman and his lawyers over legal fees, say Ms Theron and her management group have to date received $2.5 million for her promotional appearance at this year's Grand Prix.

Ms Theron was in Melbourne for a day and a half during the Grand Prix, and is due to appear at events in China next month to again promote the 50-level apartment tower, at the corner of Chapel Street and Toorak Road.

Mr Kestelman, who is the founder of Dodo Internet, does not yet have a permit for the 50-level tower – though a ruling from the state planning tribunal on whether the 450-apartment project can proceed is expected any day.

The agreement between Mr Kestelman and Ms Cheron's Californian agency Creative Talent Management provides her a $1 million appearance fee, and a "campaign services fee" of $2 million.

The agreement includes Ms Theron's image, name, voice, footage and signature being used in the marketing and advertising campaign for the Capitol Grand apartment development.

The contract specifies that Ms Theron was required to appear for one-and-a-half hours at the Grand Prix, to "attend as celebrity guest; participate in VIP meet and greet, sign autographs, walk red carpet, photo call, and repeat and any other mutually agreed upon activities agreed to by Talent in writing in advance".

While Ms Theron has starred in a multimedia campaign created for the Capitol Grand with the tagline 'Lead me into Temptation', the court documents reveal she was one of several "faces" considered for the project.

"Kate Hudson is a confirmed second option," an email from Mr Kestelman's lawyer said. "Gisele and Karlie Kloss are also options."