Joseph Gordon-Levitt is to star in the 'Fraggle Rock' movie.

Jim Henson's hit 1980s children's TV show about a group of carefree creatures known as Fraggles who live in caves beneath a lighthouse is finally being turned into a film

The 'Inception' actor has committed to be the lead star and is also set to work as a producer on the movie, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Joseph has admitted 'Fraggle Rock' was one of his favourite ever shows and he is confident he and producer Lisa Henson - the CEO of The Jim Henson Company and the late puppeteer's daughter - can do the series and Jim proud.

In a statement, Joseph said: ''The first screen personas I ever loved were Henson creations, first on 'Sesame Street', and then on 'Fraggle Rock'. Jim Henson's characters make you laugh and sing, but they're also layered, surprising, and wise. From Oscar the Grouch, to Yoda, to the Fraggles. I've never stopped loving his work, even as a young frisky man, and on into adulthood. Collaborating with Lisa Henson makes me confident we can do something that Jim would have loved.''

The news is a huge boost to the project which has been in development since 2006.