One could take a look at Star Trek (both the original TV series and the movies). Star Trek depicts a future in which people of all races work together in harmony to get a job done, something that seems a far cry from life during the Cold War (when Star Trek made it's debut). The future of mankind in Star Trek was a positive one where everyone got along fairly well. Racism was not present, and the overall message was that the people of Earth CAN all get along well together - an uplifting mindset to be in during that era.
In contrast, the future in V for Vendetta (while not nearly as advanced as in Star Trek) is plagued with violence, racism, censorship and so-on. V for Vendetta depicts a future Britain being controlled by a totalitarian government, while war has essentially destroyed North America (only ever referred to as the United States). People who go against the government are 'black-bagged' and basically taken off the map, removed from existence. The government will not tolerate deviance. Overall it is not a very forward-thinking society, like Star Trek. The film adaptation of V for Vendetta focuses more on government and world issues than the 80's graphic novel did, probably to make it more applicable to this era (one that is essentially on the verge of being controlled by the media, where world relations are still not at their best).
I think that visions of the future constantly need to be altered to remain topical and relevant to today's issues. If there is nothing in a movie's depiction of the future than audiences can relate to, nothing to provoke thought, than what's the point in even making the movie?
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