Future Workbook: Star Wars analytical paper

'Star Wars' famously uses a classical (think: mythological) narrative structure. Plus, the whole thing is actually set in the past ("A long time ago..."). And yet, it is still a vision of the future.

My analytical paper explores the relationship between science fiction and the idea(l)s of the past, and the places these themes intersect. Often, science fiction explores (and exploits) some sort of anxiety we have about contemporary science. It dramatizes our neuroses as an act of catharsis. But what happens when science (or science fiction) becomes mythic? What does it mean that the plot/settings/characters/gadgetry/etc. of Star Wars look towards the future, even while these features are interacting in very classical, expected (comforting?) ways, i.e., the hero's journey follows a fairly standard path? I'm curious for your thoughts...