I had imagined Anakin to be a Han Solo type, a hotshot pilot who is the best in the galaxy who also happens to be knowledgeable in the force.
It would also explain why Leia was interested in Han. Han would have been like her father.
We saw abit of this cocky attitude in Clones. I'm abit more forgiving on Hayden then most since part of his portrayal adds up to what I was expecting of the character.