David Soren (animator)

David Soren (born April 19, 1973)[1][2] is a Canadian director, writer, voice actor, and storyboard artist at DreamWorks Animation. His most notable work are TV specials based on the Madagascar film franchise: Merry Madagascar and Madly Madagascar. He directed the 2013 animated feature film Turbo, which is based on his own original concept, as well as the 2017 animated film Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie based on Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants book series.[3]

David Soren
Soren at the 2017 Annecy International Animated Film Festival
Born (1973-04-19) April 19, 1973
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Alma materSheridan College
Occupation(s)Director, writer, voice actor, storyboard artist
Years active1995–present
EmployerDreamWorks Animation
Notable workTurbo
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie

Early life and career

Soren was born in Toronto, Canada, was raised in Hamilton,[4] and graduated from Sheridan College. His final student project, an animated short film, Mr. Lucky, received many accolades, and was accepted into competition for the 1997 Academy Award. Before joining DreamWorks Animation, he worked at Toronto-based Nelvana as an animator and storyboard artist.

At DreamWorks, he worked as a story artist on Chicken Run, Shrek and Over the Hedge, and as head of story on Shark Tale.[5] In 2009, he directed and wrote his first film, a TV Christmas special, Merry Madagascar, followed by a 2013 TV Valentine's Day special, Madly Madagascar, also written and directed by Soren.[6]

Soren made his feature directorial debut in 2013, directing Turbo. It received mixed-to-positive reviews which won him an Annie Award for Directing in a Feature Production. He was also the creative consultant on its television series, Turbo Fast.

He voiced the muscle-sized baby Jimbo in The Boss Baby and directed his second feature film Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie and voiced Tommy which is based on Dav Pilkey's comic books Captain Underpants, which the movie and books would later get adapted into an Netflix television series titled The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants. However, Soren was not involved with the show. He reprised his role as Jimbo in The Boss Baby's sequel, The Boss Baby: Family Business.

Soren is set to direct a full-length feature film for Paramount Animation titled Under the Boardwalk.[7][8]

In February 2023, Radar Pictures acquired the rights to make a feature film based on Geronimo Stilton. The film is a co-production between Radar and Italian company Atlantyca Entertainment, which also produced the television series, with DreamWorks Animation veteran David Soren attached to write and direct and Anthony Tringali, Michael Napoliello and Maria Frisk set to produce under Radar Pictures.[9]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2000 The Road to El Dorado Storyboard artist
Chicken Run Additional storyboard artist
2001 Shrek Story artist
2004 Shark Tale Shrimp/Worm/Starfish #1/Killer Whale #2 Head of story/actor
2006 Over the Hedge Story artist
2008 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Lemur Actor
2010 How to Train Your Dragon Special thanks
2013 Turbo Worker Snail #1, Can't Tuck Snail, Gagné Crew Chief, Indy Network Executive, Newspaper Boy, Autotune Kid Director/writer/actor
2014 Penguins of Madagascar Special thanks
2017 The Boss Baby Jimbo Actor/special thanks
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Tommy Director/additional screenplay material/actor
2019 How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Special thanks (uncredited)
2021 The Boss Baby: Family Business Jimbo Actor
2023 Under the Boardwalk Director/writer
TBA Geronimo Stilton Director/writer

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2009 Merry Madagascar Lookout lemur/additional lemurs Director/writer
2010 Neighbors from Hell Josh Hellman Actor
2013 Madly Madagascar[6] Director/writer
2013–2016 Turbo FAST Creative consultant

References
  1. D. Allan, Marc (May 17, 2013). "TURBO: Can This Little Guy Save IndyCar?". Indianapolis Monthly. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  2. "David Soren Biography and Filmography". Tribute. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  3. "Dreamworks Animation is Off to the Races with High-Octane Cast for Turbo In 2013". DreamWorks Animation. February 24, 2012. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  4. "David Soren bio: Turbo Director". Tribute. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  5. "David Soren: Voice of Josh Hellman". TBS. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  6. Hough, Matt (January 22, 2013). "Madly Madagascar DVD Review". Home Theater Forum. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  7. D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 23, 2020). "'A Quiet Place II' & 'Top Gun: Maverick' Moving To 2021". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  8. "Under the Boardwalk and the Tiger's Apprentice Get Dated". Paramount Animation. July 23, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  9. Goodfellow, Melanie (13 February 2023). "Geronimo Stilton Set For Feature Adaptation As Radar Pictures Secures Rights & Taps 'Captain Underpants' Animator David Soren To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
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