I mean I think Lucas just tried too hard to tie them together. How hokey was it that young Anakin built C3PO who just happened to end up with Luke Skywalker in the other three movies. For me Luca just tried way too hard to make a tie between the two.
Actually, I thought Anakin building C3PO was perfect for the theme. I think the theme for the 3 new Star Wars movies was built among the theme of "Destiny." No matter what happened, Anakin was meant to stop the Sith, even though he became evil. Everything happens for a reason, and Anakin building C3PO was part of his destiny.
