reporting by Josh Horowitz

Way, way back in the summer of 2014, the nation fell in love with a man named Chris (Pratt) when he led a band of extraterrestrial misfits to cinematic glory as Star-Lord in "Guardians of the Galaxy." However, most of us probably didn't know that another Chris (Lowell) was in contention for the role as well -- and apparently, the audition process was ridiculous.

"I just remember getting the audition and being like, 'Okay, I'm talking to a raccoon with a gun, and a tree. Alright. I better not be getting f--king punked. Let's go. Roll camera,'" Lowell told MTV News.

Obviously, the "Veronica Mars" star and "Beside Still Waters" director knows by now that he missed out on a pretty Groot role, but even Lowell must admit that Pratt was the right choice.

"Frankly, to be even compared comedically with the charm level of Chris Pratt, I was flattered," he concluded. "But no, I wasn't bummed. With those movies, especially a movie like 'Guardians,' casting is everything... and I think they absolutely went with the right person."