Washington, Dec 10 : The `Doubt' director John Patrick Shanley has said that the movie has been partly inspired by Michael Jackson.

The film, which Shanley directed from his 2004 Broadway play, was premiered to an all-star crowd at the Paris Theater on Dec 7.

He said that when Father Flynn is revealed in the award winning play to have given a 12-year-old boy liquor - the incident was inspired by Michael Jackson having given "Jesus Juice" to children at Neverland.

The filmmaker revealed the connection on December 9 at the Four Seasons, where Miramax toasted him, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Viola Davis with a lunch celebrating the film's opening.

And what looks like, `Doubt' is clicking perfect timing with Jackson- the play opened on Broadway in November 2004 and the following March, during Jackson's child molestation trial, the whole "Jesus Juice" business was discussed in testimony.

However, Jackson was acquitted in June 2005, reports Fox News.

And the buzz is that the film is a strong contender for Oscar nominations in Best Actress, Supporting Actor and Actress, Screenplay, and Director.

While the film is set in 1964, but considering the Jackson connection and scandals concerning priests and the Catholic Church, Shanley said, "It couldn't be more timely." (ANI)