What's funny about Anakin is that Lucas himself didn't know what to do with him. Nevermind the whole lava/mutation thing, I think I remember he said in the ESB DVDs' commentary (I think they're from 1997, though) Anakin would've faced the Emperor in ROTS, but he would've lost both the battle and a great deal of his Force (explaining why he was forced to become his servant/apprentice, and probably Yoda's warning about the Emperor's powers).
I mean, if the guy himself is confused... :D