When it comes to Gilmore Girls, it's hard to picture Liza Weil as anyone other than the quick-witted Paris Geller. Possessing what is one of the most interesting and ever-evolving storylines within the whole the series, not only is the likable cynic an irreplaceable addition to the show's set of quirky characters, but she's also the personification of character development done right. From quippy one-liners and dozens of hilarious scene-stealing moments to the touching, albeit strange friendship she shares with Rory, it's easy to see why Weil's Paris has remained such a fan favorite, even after so many years.

Interestingly enough, however, though Weil is undeniably perfect as Paris Geller, she originally auditioned for a completely different part. As revealed at the Gilmore Girl's reunion, held at the ATX Television Festival, Weil initially had her sights set on the role of Rory Gilmore. While there's no question the actress has the chops to pull it off, it's somewhat bizarre to imagine Stars Hollow lacking Alexis Bledel as Rory and missing the character of Paris entirely. Here's the condensed, behind-the-scenes story of how things went down.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: Why Logan Calls Rory 'Ace' (And When He Started)

Finding the right cast for a brand new series can be an incredibly challenging task. This especially rings true when the series has the additional obstacle of wanting audiences to believe that each character is uniquely part of an already developed, close-knit community — such as the one depicted on Gilmore Girls. Understandably, when it came time to find Rory, the creators had a distinct vision in mind of what they wanted.

"She [Bledel] was so different and a breath of fresh air," remembers executive producer Amy Sherman-Palladino. "Rory had to be something you've never seen before."

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: Sookie St. James Is One of the Most Empathetic Fat Leads in TV History

While Bledel nailed her audition and was subsequently cast as one of the show's two leads, the producers weren't ready to write off Weil altogether. The portrayal of Rory she gave may not have been exactly what they were looking for, but there was something about her audition that left the creators wanting more.

"I got a call and they were like, 'They really liked you but it wasn't quite right. But if [the show is picked up] maybe they'll find something for you to do,'" explains Weil.

Undoubtedly, these very words are said to many actors, resulting in a less than favorable outcome. Fortunately, the opposite was true in this case. The producers were inspired enough by Weil's ability that the role of Paris Geller was written into the show, specifically with Weil in mind. Needless to say, the rest is history. Gilmore Girls simply wouldn't be the show it is today without its iconic cast of oddball characters, including the overly ambitious and wildly snarky Paris Geller.

KEEP READING: The CW's Powerpuff Girls Casts Scrubs Star as Professor Utonium, Gets New Title